Tag: Babar Azam

Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam broke the silence on the upset defeat against Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The star batter appeared in Peshawar Zalmi’s podcast and discussed a wide array of topics from his cricketing journey.

He was also asked about Pakistan’s most shocking defeat in last year’s mega event which drew massive criticism from cricket pundits and fans.

“That match was very painful for me because losing to Afghanistan in a World Cup was a different kind of thing.

“I think they played very good cricket and we could not execute the way we should. We made efforts and we posted a good total but the way they both [Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah] played, it seemed they would not get out on that pitch. The credit should be given to them as well.

“So, that day was a hard day for me. I couldn’t sleep that day. It [defeat] hit me hard in the heart.”

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Babar Azam then went on to share how he overcame the setback, stating it takes time but experience helps a person to handle such situations.

“Look, it takes some time to overcome, a day or two. If you do well, you don’t sleep with excitement leave aside failures.

“The more you play, the more you get experienced, you get to know how to handle yourself.”

For the unversed, Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah scored sensible half-centuries after Noor Ahmad’s 3/49 led Afghanistan to upset Pakistan.

The eight-wicket victory marked Afghanistan’s first over Pakistan in ODIs. The two sides had come face to face on seven occasions in the 50-over format.

READ: Babar Azam responds to criticism over his strike rate

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has recently opened up about the criticism he faces regarding his batting strike rate.

The star batter defended himself stating that he plays according to the situation, yet some critics always find a way to criticise him.

During a recent appearance at a podcast, Babar Azam addressed the issue regarding his strike rate and maintained that he always intends to win the match for his team.

“You cannot satisfy someone all the time, I am only focused on how to win matches for my team. How I have to build the innings, and how I have to maintain my strike rate, is my concern,” Azam said.

“See, strike rate is a different story, building an innings, and winning a match are two different things. When you win a match, then both things are covered,” he added.

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The star batter emphasized that he adapts his batting style according to the match situation, as some matches require a cautious approach.

“Sometimes you cannot play freely because you have to build the innings, and you have wickets in hand, you can play with a 200-strike rate as well,” Azam stated.

Babar Azam also explained that every player has a different approach and role, but some people always take issue with his batting style.

“I cannot understand why people have issues with my strike rate, they will say it is 150. It should be 170. If I play with 170, they will say it should have been 200. Every player has his own playing style, I don’t like to compare myself with anyone.”

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam has termed the pre-season fitness camp in Kakul as highly successful, adding that it has contributed to preparing the players for the long and challenging cricket season ahead.

The right-handed batter also maintained that the fitness camp has helped strengthen unity and understanding amongst the group through strategically designed team bonding exercises and drills.

Twenty-nine cricketers attended the pre-season camp at the historic and iconic Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul from March 26 to April 6, with the training and drills designed by Pakistan Army experts and strategists.

During the camp, there was a focus on team building aimed to enhance the physical and mental strength of the players, ensuring they were in the best condition to face the challenges ahead.

Under the guidance of experienced trainers and coaches, the players underwent a comprehensive training regime tailored to elevate their fitness levels, agility, leadership, strategic thinking and overall performance on the field.

Babar Azam, who was recently reinstated as Pakistan’s white-ball captain, shared his experience of being part of the fitness camp.

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“This was my third boot camp, and with each visit, I’ve gleaned new insights,” said the right-hander.

“This time, our focus extended beyond physical fitness to encompass team bonding activities and performance-improving lectures.

“These elements are crucial considering our team environment where collective performance is paramount for achieving desired results.

“I’m confident that we’ll return to competitive cricket as better, fitter and mentally tougher athletes, thereby enhancing our overall performance.

“Given the upcoming cricket fixtures, this camp proves exceptionally valuable. It not only mitigates injury risks but also augments both individual skills and collective team performance.”

He also shared his favourite moment from the fitness camp. “Azam [Khan] climbing the mountain was the most memorable moment.”

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Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq recently opened up about the recent change in Pakistan’s T20I leadership, which saw Babar Azam replacing Shaheen Afridi as captain.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday reinstated Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of the national team ahead of the upcoming home T20I series against New Zealand.

Misbah-ul-Haq expressed his concerns about the way the captaincy change was managed, describing it as an unpleasant process.

“The process of changing captain in Pakistan is extremely unpleasant and this affects the players and the team,” the former captain remarked while talking to media in Lahore.

The former head coach emphasized that Babar Azam was previously removed as captain in the wrong way, and now the same has happened with Shaheen Afridi.

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“Babar was removed from captaincy in the wrong manner and so was Shaheen Afridi. Both are our star players and my best wishes are with the team and I hope they perform well.”

For the unversed, Afridi succeeded Babar Azam as the T20I captain of the national team, following their dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

However, the left-arm pacer had a short tenure as captain, during which Pakistan suffered a 4-1 defeat to New Zealand in the only series under his leadership.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam’s first assignment during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

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Pakistan pace bowler Shaheen Afridi sent a stern warning on Friday through his Instagram account, following his removal as the T20I captain of the national team.

Afridi posted a cryptic message on his official Instagram account, warning that if his patience was tested, he might reveal a different side of himself.

“Never ever put me in a position where I have to show you how cruel and ruthless I can be. Don’t test my patience. Because I might be the kindest and sweetest person you’ve ever met, but once I reach my limit, you’ll see me do the things that no one thought I was capable of doing,” the story reads.

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Babar Azam replaced Shaheen Afridi as Pakistan’s T20I captain on Sunday as the star batter once again assumed charge as the white-ball captain ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Afridi succeeded Babar Azam as the T20I captain of the national team, following their dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

However, the left-arm pacer had a short tenure as captain, during which Pakistan suffered a 4-1 defeat to New Zealand in the only series under his leadership.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam’s first assignment during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

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Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood recently shared his thoughts on Babar Azam replacing Shaheen Afridi as T20I captain.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday reinstated Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of the national team ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

PCB officially announced Babar Azam’s appointment as captain on their social media accounts.

“Babar Azam appointed as white-ball captain. Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team,” the PCB posted.

Shan Masood believes that the new management took the decision with a plan involving the workload management of Shaheen Afridi.

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“There’s a new set-up that’s come in, a new selection committee, and you always have a plan,” stated Masood.

“And they saw a certain plan and we saw through the explanation that they probably want Shaheen Afridi to be rested as well. Because we lost Naseem Shah last year just before the World Cup which proved to be very costly to Pakistan,” he added.

The left-handed batter also emphasized the need for team unity despite the changes in leadership.

“I think for us as players we’ve got a common goal of making sure the Pakistan team does well. Whoever is leading it, everyone is behind them and ready to put in a good shift for them,” he added.

Babar Azam’s first assignment during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

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Azam Siddiqui, the father of Babar Azam, advised his son to show respect to Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim upon becoming captain of the Pakistan cricket team.

Amir and Wasim recently came out of international retirement and made themselves available for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The tournament is scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the United States of America in June.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday reinstated Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of the national team.

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Babar Azam’s father took to his Instagram account and expressed his excitement over his son’s reappointment as captain.

“The most important thing is that the people of the authority gave honour and respect again,” posted Azam Siddiqui.

He advised the right-hand batter to respect Wasim and Amir due to their seniority and let bygones be bygones.

“Now there are echoes that the team will not be united but I have said to Babar to forget the past. [Mohammad] Amir and Imad [Wasim] are older than and senior to you, meet them with respect and honour their opinion,” he added.

“I have also told Babar to treat everybody in the team like brothers. As all the eleven brothers will conquer the world with unity,” he concluded.

 

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A post shared by M.Azam Siddique (@azam_siddique_65)

The first assignment of Babar Azam during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

The star batter had previously led Pakistan in white-ball cricket from 2019 to 2023 before stepping down following the team’s dismal performance in the ICC World Cup 2023.

After his resignation, PCB appointed Shan Masood as Test captain, while Shaheen Afridi was handed responsibility to lead the T20I side.

Afridi had an unwanted start to his captaincy reign, which started with a five-match away series loss against New Zealand in January this year.

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Former captain Shahid Afridi has reacted to PCB’s decision to reappoint Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of Pakistan.

The former allrounder called for appointing batter Muhammad Rizwan as the captain of the national side following the sacking of Shaheen Afridi.

“I am surprised by the decision by very experienced cricketers in the selection committee. I still believe that if change was necessary than Rizwan was the best choice!,” said Afridi in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

However, he said, that he extended full support to Babar Azam after his reappointment as the white-ball captain.

“Since now the decision has been made I offer my full support and best wishes to team Pakistan and Babar Azam,” Shahid Afridi added.

I am surprised by the decision by very experienced cricketers in the selection committee. I still believe that if change was necessary than Rizwan was the best choice! But since now the decision has been made I offer my full support and best wishes to team Pakistan and Babar…

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 31, 2024

PCB on Sunday reinstated Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of the national team ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

PCB officially announced Babar Azam’s appointment as captain on their social media accounts. “Babar Azam appointed as white-ball captain,” the PCB posted.

“Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team.”

His first assignment during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

The star batter had previously led Pakistan in white-ball cricket from 2019 to 2023 before stepping down following the team’s dismal performance in the ICC World Cup 2023.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday reinstated Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of the national team ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

PCB officially announced Babar Azam’s appointment as captain on their social media accounts. “Babar Azam appointed as white-ball captain,” the PCB posted.

“Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team.”

His first assignment during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

The star batter had previously led Pakistan in white-ball cricket from 2019 to 2023 before stepping down following the team’s dismal performance in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals as they finished fifth in the standings with eight points.

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After his resignation, PCB appointed Shan Masood as Test captain, while Shaheen Afridi was handed responsibility to lead the T20I side.

Afridi had an unwanted start to his captaincy reign, which started with a five-match away series against New Zealand in January this year.

Pakistan succumbed to a 4-1 series defeat and Shaheen’s future as a captain straightaway came under scrutiny.

READ: Top-order blitz puts Sri Lanka 314-4 in Bangladesh Test

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan failed to attract any team during The Hundred draft for the 2024 season on Wednesday.

Azam and Rizwan were among the late additions to The Hundred draft along with Pakistan’s T20I captain Shaheen Afridi, however, only Afridi managed to secure a deal during the event.

Eight teams competing completed their squads for the upcoming fourth edition of The Hundred – England’s first-of-its-sort league – after a breathless day of drafting.

Earlier this month, more than 65 Pakistan players registered themselves for The Hundred 2024 Draft, however, only three players were picked.

Pace sensation Naseem Shah was roped in by Birmingham Phoenix for the highest price of £125,000.

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Welsh Fire selected Shaheen Afridi for £100,000, who also played for the team in the previous edition of The Hundred.

Imad Wasim, the star all-rounder who played a key role in Islamabad United’s victory in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9, was once again picked by Trent Rockets for £100,000.

Leg-spinner Usama Mir was retained by Manchester Originals while Welsh Fire retained right-arm speedster Haris Rauf.

Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Amir also remained unsold as no franchise showed interest in them.

The eight-team tournament will kick off at The Oval on July 23 with the high-octane clash between Oval Invincibles and Birmingham Pheonix.

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