Tag: Babar Azam

KARACHI: Pakistan batting maestro Babar Azam etched his name in the history books during the ongoing tri-nation series final against New Zealand here at National Bank Stadium on Friday.

During the first innings, Babar equalled South African batting legend Hashim Amla’s long-standing record of being the fastest to 6000 runs in ODI cricket, both achieving the feat in 123 innings.

Babar needed 10 runs to reach the milestone and he achieved the feat in the seventh over in style with a boundary off Jacob Duffy.

It’s worth noting that Babar Azam holds the record for being the fastest batter to score 5000 ODI runs, having achieved the landmark in 97 innings.

The right-handed batter is the 11th Pakistani batter to cross the landmark, meanwhile, legendary Inzamam-ul-Haq is the highest run-scorer from Pakistan in ODI cricket with 11701 runs.

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Moreover, Babar has scored 19 ODI centuries, placing him in an impressive second position in the list of most hundreds by Pakistani batters.

He is just one century away from equaling the legendary Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 centuries.

Additionally, if Babar Azam manages to score his 20th century in the tri-nation ODI series final against New Zealand, he will become the second-fastest batter to achieve this feat.

Amla tops the list, having reached the milestone in 108 innings.

READ: Kevin Pietersen names his semi-finalists for Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan batting maestro Babar Azam is on the verge of achieving multiple milestones in ODI cricket during the upcoming tri-nation series final against New Zealand, scheduled on 14 February in Karachi.

Babar has so far scored 5990 runs in 125 ODI games at an impressive average of 55.98, needing just 10 more runs to become the 11th Pakistan player to reach 6,000 runs in the format.

He will join an elite group of Pakistani batters led by Inzamam-ul-Haq, who tops the list with 11,701 ODI runs, followed by Mohammad Yousuf (9,554) and Saeed Anwar (8,824).

Moreover, Babar Azam also has a chance to equal South African batting legend Hashim Amla’s long-standing record of fastest to 6000 ODI runs.

Amla achieved the feat in 123 innings while Babar has so far scored 5990 runs in 122 innings.

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It’s worth noting that Babar holds the record for being the fastest batter to score 5000 ODI runs, having achieved the landmark in 97 innings.

Babar has scored 19 ODI centuries, placing him in an impressive second position in the list of most hundreds by Pakistani batters.

He is just one century away from equaling the legendary Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 centuries.

Additionally, if Babar Azam manages to score his 20th century in the tri-nation ODI series final against New Zealand, he will become the second-fastest batter to achieve this feat.

Amla tops the list, having reached the milestone in 108 innings.

READ: Pakistan trio fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in South Africa clash

KARACHI: Pakistan star batter Babar Azam has urged fans to stop calling him “king,” stating that he doesn’t see himself as one yet after the team’s six-wicket victory over South Africa in the tri-nation ODI series here on Wednesday.

Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha smashed centuries to help Pakistan chase down a mammoth 353 and book their place in the final against New Zealand.

Despite a stunning batting show, Babar’s own struggles with the bat continued as he was trapped lbw by Wiaan Mulder for 23 runs, once again falling short of a big score.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Babar admitted he was disappointed with his recent form and inability to finish games for the team.

“Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to finish the innings, but Rizwan and Salman played brilliantly today. Performances like these lift the team’s confidence,” he said.

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Babar Azam was quick to address the popular “king” title given to him by fans, requesting them to stop using it.

“Firstly, stop calling me a king. I’m not a king yet. Let’s see what people call me when I retire. Opening is a new role for me, and I’ve taken on this responsibility as per the team’s needs,” he added.

The former captain also shared insights into his mindset, revealing how he pushes himself to overcome challenges on the field.

“What I’ve done before is in the past. If I keep dwelling on previous performances, I won’t perform in the future. Every day is a new challenge with a new plan. Successfully chasing big totals like today boosts our confidence,” he concluded.

READ: Mohammad Rizwan backs struggling Babar Azam to bounce back

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has backed struggling Babar Azam to bounce back ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and tri-nation series final against New Zealand.

Azam, whose last ODI century came against Nepal in the 2023 Asia Cup, has been struggling for runs in the format.

Moreover, he has also been promoted to open the innings for Pakistan after regular opener Saim Ayub’s injury.

While talking in a post-match press conference, Rizwan admitted that the team was under immense pressure during the match.

“We had already assumed that the target would be around 320.”

He praised Babar Azam’s strong start but pointed out that wickets fell quickly afterward.

“Babar gave us a good start, but then we lost wickets. At one point, I even stopped watching the match on the screen,” Rizwan revealed.

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He further stated despite the setbacks, Pakistan managed to secure victory.

“Allah helped us, and we won. However, our bowling needs to improve at the death,” he added.

While Discussing Babar Azam’s struggles, Rizwan acknowledged the expectations placed on him because of his numbers in international cricket.

“The issue with Babar Azam is that we demand runs from him in every match. He has become a brand, and perhaps that pressure is affecting him someway. Maybe luck isn’t on his side right now.”

Rizwan emphasized the team’s commitment to winning but pointed out inconsistencies in Pakistan cricket.

“We give our best effort to win. However, our cricketing culture has developed a pattern that never seems to have a consistent outcome.”

He also mentioned the absence of young all-rounder Saim Ayub, calling him a “complete package” that the team was missing.

“I was personally worried about how to cover for Saim Ayub in the field,” he admitted.

Rizwan also revealed that Babar Azam’s promotion to the opening slot was a strategic decision.

“We sent Babar to open the innings according to our plan,” he concluded.

Earlier, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman’s sublime centuries powered Pakistan into the tri-nation series final after beating South Africa by six wickets.

Pakistan chased the daunting total of 353 runs in 49 overs on the loss of four wickets courtesy of brilliant batting from the above-mentioned pair.

Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122*, while Salman scored 134 off 103 deliveries before getting out. His innings included two massive sixes and 16 elegant fours.

READ: Rizwan, Salman tons power Pakistan into tri-series final; South Africa eliminated

LAHORE: New Zealand star batter Kane Williamson praised Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam, placing him among the best batters in the world after the tri-nation ODI series clash against South Africa here at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

Babar has been the mainstay of the Pakistan team for several years, consistently performing with his bat. However, in recent times, he has faced a dip in form, struggling to find his rhythm and deliver the kind of performance he is known for.

While addressing the media after his blazing century, Williamson hailed Azam’s class and placed him in the elites of the game.

“The ‘Fab Four’ or ‘Fab Five’ consists of some of the best players in the world, and Babar Azam is certainly one of them. He is a world-class batter who consistently delivers for his team,” said Williamson.

The former skipper also spoke about his experience in Pakistan, saying that he was delighted with the warm welcome and the passionate Lahore crowd.

He also praised his team’s performance in the ongoing tri-nation ODI series emphasizing that the New Zealand team played as a unit and handled pressure very well.

“Our team worked hard and due to this, we got good results. Devon Conway played brilliantly and the South Africa team was equally competitive and performed well in the match,” remarked the former captain.

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Kane Williamson further talked about the pitch conditions and mentioned that as the day progressed, batting became easier.

“As the evening progressed, batting became easier, and we adapted well to the situation,” said Williamson.

Furthermore, he shared positive news about Rachin Ravindra’s fitness; Ravindra took a blow to the head while fielding during the first match of the series against Pakistan.

“I am not sure if Rachin Ravindra will play in the final, but he is recovering well and is in good health,” he said.

For the unversed, the Kiwi batter smashed an unbeaten 133 runs against South Africa in the second match of the tri-nation series, leading his team into the final.

The Blackcaps comprehensively chased the 305-run target on the loss of four wickets and eight balls remaining courtesy of 187 run stand between Devon Conway and Williamson.

Kane Williamson’s knock included 13 fours and two sixes. This was also the stalwart’s first ODI hundred since the 2019 World Cup when he hit 148 against the West Indies at Manchester.

READ: Tri-nation series: Kane Williamson’s blazing century propels New Zealand into final

Pakistan batting maestro Babar Azam is on the verge of achieving multiple milestones in ODI cricket during the ongoing tri-nation series, involving New Zealand and  South Africa.

The former Pakistan captain has the opportunity to break South African batting legend Hashim Amla’s long-standing record of fastest to 6000 ODI runs.

Amla achieved the feat in 123 innings while Babar has so far scored 5957 runs in 120 innings. He needs 43 runs in his next two innings to break the record.

It’s worth noting that Babar holds the record for being the fastest batter to score 5000 ODI runs, having achieved the landmark in 97 innings.

Babar Azam has scored 19 ODI centuries, placing him in an impressive second position in the list of most hundreds by Pakistani batters. He is just one century away from equaling the legendary Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 centuries.

During the ongoing tri-nation series, Babar needs to score two centuries to surpass Saeed Anwar and further secure his legacy in cricket history.

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If he scores centuries in all three matches, he will join David Warner, Sourav Ganguly, and Tillakaratne Dilshan in tenth place on the list of most hundreds in ODIs.

As of this writing, Pakistan and New Zealand are playing the opening game of the series at the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

In the single-league tournament, New Zealand will take on South Africa on Monday, 10 February at the same venue in the day game.

After the second match, the action will move to Karachi, where the home side will take on South Africa at the National Bank Stadium in a day-night match on Wednesday, 12 February.

The final of the tri-nation ODI series will be played between the top two sides on Friday, 14 February with the first ball to be bowled at 2:00 PM PST.

READ: Missing key players won’t hold us back: South Africa bowling consultant

Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has shared his thoughts on the batting position of Babar Azam in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The left-hand batter made a return to the Pakistan squad for the tri-nation series and the Champions Trophy after nursing an injury and illness.

National selector Asad Shafiq while expressing his thoughts at the time of the Pakistan team’s squad announcement, said that Fakhar Zaman’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel depending on the team combination, conditions and match strategy.

Now, Zaman who is known for his explosive batting, has shared his thoughts on the star batter’s promotion as an opener in the team ahead of the mega event.

He revealed his thoughts during a PCB podcast by saying that, for a player like Babar’s calibre batting order did not matter.

“For a player like Babar Azam, batting number doesn’t matter, he is such a player that his class doesn’t let you down,” said Zaman.

“The range Babar has in ODIs makes cricket very easy for you, I hope Babar will perform very well,” he said.

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For the unversed, the Men in Green have been placed in Group A of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 alongside India, New Zealand and Bangladesh.

Pakistan will begin their campaign with the tournament opener against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19.

They will then face India in the highly-anticipated match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23.

Pakistan will play their third and final group match in Rawalpindi against Bangladesh on February 27.

However, the national side will compete in a tri-nation series involving New Zealand and South Africa before the tournament.

Pakistan squad for tri-nation series, Champions Trophy 2025:

Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Usman Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Mohsin Naqvi hints at possible changes in Champions Trophy squad

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has commented on the prospect of star batter Babar Azam playing as an opener alongside Fakhar Zaman during the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Babar, who bats number three for Pakistan, has been asked to fulfil the role of opener in the absence of injured Saim Ayub, who was ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to an ankle injury, sustained during the tour of South Africa.

The PCB management wants Babar to take up the role just like Sachin Tendulkar, who started his career as a middle-order batter in 1989, however, he was later promoted to open the innings and spent most of his career at the top of the order.

Basit Ali, in a video on his official YouTube channel, backed the idea to promote Babar, suggesting that the star batter will not be under pressure to perform as an opener.

“Babar’s place in the team will remain unaffected, irrespective of his performance in the Champions Trophy,” he stated.

“I hope Babar performs. If he performs, he will say I played for Pakistan. If he doesn’t perform, he will say I was forcefully made to open.”

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According to the sources, head coach Aqib Javed, batting coach Shahid Aslam and captain Mohammad Rizwan convinced Babar Azam to bat as an opener for Pakistan.

The team management believes that Babar can play the same role that Sachin played for the Indian cricket team after becoming an opener.

It is noteworthy that Babar has opened the batting for Pakistan in just two ODIs which was way back in 2015.

After that, he has been the mainstay for the national team at the number three position. However, he has been a regular opener for Pakistan in T20Is for more than two years.

Pakistan Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (wk)(c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Naseem Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Haris Rauf.

READ: Peshawar’s Arbab Niaz Stadium set for revival after 19 years

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to promote star batter Babar Azam as an opener in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, taking inspiration from a former legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar.

According to reliable sources, Babar, who bats number three for Pakistan, has been asked to fulfil the role of opener in the absence of injured Saim Ayub, who was ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to an ankle injury, sustained during the tour of South Africa.

The PCB management wants Babar to take up the role just like Sachin Tendulkar, who started his career as a middle-order batter in 1989, however, he was later promoted to open the innings and spent most of his career at the top of the order.

This role proved to be a turning point in Tendulkar’s career who scored 82 off 49 balls in his first match as an opener. Overall, in 344 matches as an opening batter, he scored 15,310 runs at 48.29 and made 45 ODI hundreds.

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According to the sources, head coach Aqib Javed, batting coach Shahid Aslam and captain Mohammad Rizwan convinced Babar to bat as an opener for Pakistan.

The team management believes that Babar can play the same role that Sachin played for the Indian cricket team after becoming an opener.

It is noteworthy that Babar has opened the batting for Pakistan in just two ODIs which was way back in 2015.

After that, he has been the mainstay for the national team at the number three position. However, he has been a regular opener for Pakistan in T20Is for more than two years.

Pakistan Squad for Tri-Nation Series and ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (wk)(c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Naseem Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Haris Rauf.

READ: Imam-ul-Haq breaks silence on Champions Trophy 2025 snub

DUBAI: Pakistan players, including star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as well as spinner Noman Ali, made significant movements in the latest ICC Test Rankings released on Wednesday.

Pakistan suffered a 120-run defeat in the second Test of the two-match series against the West Indies earlier this week.

Noman Ali claimed bowling figures of 6-41, including a hat-trick, in the first session of the second Test to bundle West Indies for 163 in the first innings.

He took four more wickets in the second innings to complete his ten-wicket haul, which helped him jump four spots in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings to claim his career-best fifth place.

His spin partner Sajid Khan, who took six wickets in the match, also made a two-place jump to reach the 21st spot with 644 rating points.

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Meanwhile, Pakistan pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah, who did not participate in the Test series, dropped to 22nd, 27th and 40th spot respectively.

Babar Azam continued his ongoing struggles as he managed just one run off five deliveries in the first innings, and scored 31 runs off 67 balls in the second innings.

Overall, he scored 45 runs across four innings in the series, consequently losing three places to the 19th spot in the ICC Test Batting Rankings.

On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan jumped two places to 15th, courtesy of his fighting knock of 49 runs in the first innings, which was followed by a cautious 25 in the second innings.

Saud Shakeel, who managed 45 runs across two innings, dropped one spot and is now sitting in 10th place with 739 rating points.

READ: Steve Smith achieves major milestone during first Test against Sri Lanka