Tag: Babar Azam

DUBAI: Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has been nominated for the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI Player of the Year award for the second successive year. 

Babar, who won the prestigious award in 2021, has been nominated this year too following his sublime record in ODIs with Australia’s Adam Zampa, Zimbabwe’s Sikander Raza and West Indies’s Shai Hope as the other three nominees.

The top-ranked ODI batter, who has been ruling the rankings chart since April 2021, accumulated 679 runs in nine matches.

Babar carried on his astounding form in the 50-over format and crossed the fifty-plus score eight times and converted three of those into centuries. Babar finished the year with a stunning average of 84.87.

“The ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2021 is in the running to do a repeat in 2022. Pakistan captain Babar Azam once again showed his prowess in the 50-over format,” said ICC in a press release.

“It was a memorable year for Babar as captain of the Pakistan ODI team, winning three series out of three. Pakistan were unstoppable in the ODI format, losing just one match (against Australia) out of nine,” the statement added.

Earlier, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and women’s cricket team’s all-rounder Nida Dar were nominated for the T20I Cricketer of the year award.

READ: Williamson slams double ton as New Zealand declare with healthy lead

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has dispelled the impression that he is under any sort of pressure after the recent changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s top hierarchy, saying his sole focus is on the field rather than the developments happening outside. 

“A lot has been changed in the last three to four days, but as a professional, you’ve to face these things,” he said in a scheduled pre-match press talk on Sunday.

“Our job is to put our efforts in the field’ he added. “These are off-field developments while our sole focus is on the ground”

With Pakistan set to engage in a two-match Test series against New Zealand commencing tomorrow, Babar said the final XI for the opening Test has not been finalized.

“The decision on the final XI will be made after consultation with the selectors,” he told.

Pakistan captain informed that he was taken on board on the last-minute changes made in the Test squad, saying he had a discussion with the newly-appointed interim chief selector Shahid Afridi about the selection of the new players.

On Saturday, the interim selection committee Shahid Afridi added Mir Hamza, Sajid Khan and Shahnawaz Dahani to the Pakistan Test squad for the Test series against New Zealand.

While conceding that his team did not perform up to the mark in the recently-concluded Test series against England that ended in a disappointing 3-0 home series whitewash, Babar hoped that his team would make a comeback in the upcoming home assignment.

“I accept that we didn’t play good cricket against England, but we are sure to make a comeback in this series.”

“We played our best eleven against England but obviously when the results do not come in your favour, you face such type of criticism,” he added.

READ: India beat Bangladesh in second Test thriller

DUBAI: Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam achieved a significant milestone in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test batting rankings as he claimed his career-high ranking after the conclusion of historic Test series against England.

Babar, who enjoyed a prolific series with the bat against England, got the reward of his dominating year with the bat in red-ball cricket as the captain has now moved to his career-best second rank in Tests.

The right-handed batter swapped places with Australia’s veteran Steve Smith, while the latter’s countrymate Marnus Labuschagne continued to rule the batting chart with a delightful home series against West Indies.

Babar, however, moved closer to Labuschagne in the latest rankings as he had achieved 875 rating points, 61 short of Labuschagne’s.

On the up 📈

Babar Azam achieves yet another milestone in the latest @MRFWorldwide ICC Men's Test Player Rankings 👏https://t.co/06H1QIqUjO

— ICC (@ICC) December 21, 2022

 

Meanwhile, the English batters, who dominated hosts Pakistan in the recently-concluded three-match Test series were rewarded for their fantastic efforts.

Player of the Series Harry Brook jumped 11 places to join West Indies’ Jermaine Blackwood at the 44th position.

Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes jumped two places to secure 23rd position, while Ollie Pope captured 28th.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan endured their first-ever clean sweep at home by Ben Stokes-led England after the touring side sealed a comprehensive eight-wicket victory early on Day 4 in the final Test.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed hosts dinner for Pakistan Test squad 

KARACHI: After Pakistan’s dismal 0-3 series whitewash against England, skipper Babar Azam has taken complete responsibility for the disappointing results, saying as a captain he will be at the forefront to defend the team.

Speaking at a press conference after England sealed a comprehensive eight-wicket win in the final Test on Monday, Babar said his side lacked experience players, especially the injuries to their bowling mainstays remained a major blow for the team.

“We played some good cricket in patches, but overall we could not finish the games properly,” he said. “And we too are very disappointed over the results and the series loss”

Babar added that his team perceived batting as their strength since their key bowlers were unfit but losing back-to-back wickets on several instances proved costly for the team and caused the defeats.

“Pitches were equal for both teams. We’ve to give credit to the English team for the way they played and utilized the conditions” he added.

Pakistan captain expressed that the team is in the building phase and he could not change things drastically in a week or two.

“We’ve to build the team,” he said.”We have to back the new players and give them proper chances and some time,”

Talking about his captaincy, Babar dispelled the impression there was any additional burden on him due to the role, saying: “I enjoy the captaincy and try my best to do whatever I can for the team.”

Moreover, the Pakistan captain also put his weight behind team management and said they had vast experience and services for the team.

“Their job is to share their experience and plans with us, in the end as players it is our responsibility to execute those plans,” he added.

READ: England beat Pakistan in final Test to complete 3-0 series whitewash

 

 

KARACHI: Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed petrified England with an early breakthrough on the stroke of day close after Pakistan were bowled out for 304 in the first innings on the opening day of the final Test, here at National Bank Cricket Arena on Saturday. 

Abrar took down opener Zak Crawley in the very first over as England ended day one on 7/1 with Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett on the crease.

Skipper Babar Azam and Salman Agha notched-up fifties while retiring Azhar Ali managed 45 from 68 balls on a surface which proved equally helpful for the bowlers as well as batters.

Babar scored a blistering 78 from 128 balls and looked promising before a chaotic call for a single cut short his remarkable knock after the tea interval.

Salman Agha, however, prolonged his stay on the crease and raised his third Test fifty before he fell prey to Jack Leach after Pakistan went past the 300 mark.

In the final session, however, England spinners ran through the lower order with Leach dismissing three out of the bottom four batters while debutant Rehan removed Faheem Ashraf cheaply on 4.

Pakistan added 87 runs and lost two wickets in the Babar-dominated afternoon session as Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan fell prey to Rehan and Joe Root, respectively.

The 18-year-old leg spinner Rehan earned his first Test wicket for England when he dismissed Saud on 23 off 56, caught at short leg by Ollie Pope.

Wicket-keeper batter Rizwan hit three fours amid his quick 19 off 24 and tried to be on charge but found a toe-end of the bat off Root’s low full toss and was caught a deep-midwicket by Ben Stokes.

Earlier, retiring Azhar Ali looked in perfect shape to make his penultimate outing on the crease a memorable one before a leg-side strangle off Robinson with the original being overturned by the TV umpire ended his fine knock on 45 from 68 balls.

Unlike the opening sessions of the previous two Tests – Rawalpindi was dominated by English openers and Multan to the Abrar’s magical five-wicket haul – Karachi’s wicket seemed to strike a perfect balance between bat and ball.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan had an unwanted start as first Test centurion Abdullah Shafique was made to depart early without even crossing double figure when spinner Jack Leach plummed him with a new ball.

Shan Masood, who was appearing for the first time in the series replacing injured Imam-ul-Haq, played an exquisite knock of 30 off 37 laced with five boundaries before pace spearhead Mark Wood removed him.

Skipper Babar then joined Azhar on the crease and the two gathered 71 runs for the third wicket before England earned a vital breakthrough on the stroke of Lunch.

 

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam commented on Azhar Ali’s retirement from Test cricket and the possibility of giving him a farewell, said the Playing XI for the Karachi Test will be decided later.

Babar, while talking at a pre-match press conference responded to a question regarding Azhar, who announced to hang his boots from red-ball cricket ahead of the final Test.

“First of all, I would like to congratulate Ajju bhai for such a decorated career. His career is quite an inspiring thing for us and for the youngsters and the performances he delivered throughout it,” said Babar.

“When we came, he was a senior player and he gave us confidence and we learnt a lot from him. He has played in different situations and the way he performed helped us as a youngster. He always backed players and brought positive energy to the dressing room.

“We will decide [Playing XI] at night, so let’s see.”

It is pertinent to mention that the final Test of the historic series between Pakistan and England will commence on December 17 here.

READ: Rehan Ahmed to debut as England unveil Playing XI for Karachi Test

KARACHI: Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam has been named the skipper of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi for the upcoming eighth edition of the marquee league.

“Announcing [King Babar] as Peshawar Zalmi’s Captain for [PSL 8,” Peshawar Zalmi announced on Twitter.

Announcing #KingBabar as Peshawar Zalmi's Captain for #HBLPSL8 💛⚡@babarazam258#Zalmi #YellowStorm #ZKingdom pic.twitter.com/CfIusqGqxG

— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) December 14, 2022

 

Last month witnessed one of the biggest trades in the history of the PSL when Peshawar Zalmi recruited the most successful batter of the tournament Babar with former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and enterprising batter Haider Ali.

Babar represented the Kings since the second edition of the marquee league after leaving Islamabad United after the inaugural edition.

Amid his run with the 2020 champions, Babar became the highest run-getter of the league as he accumulated 2413 runs in just 68 matches.

Notably, Babar led his former franchise Karachi Kings in the previous edition of PSL and also won the 2020 title under the captaincy of Kings’ captain Imad Wasim.

Meanwhile, the players’ draft of the upcoming PSL 8 will be held in Karachi on Thursday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had already revealed the pick order for the drafts, where defending champions Lahore Qalandars will make the first pick followed by  Quetta Gladiators and 2021 champions Multan Sultans.

The champions of the 2020 edition, Karachi Kings will make the fourth pick, while two-time champions Islamabad United will have the fifth pick.

The 2017 champions Peshawar Zalmi, on the other hand, will make the last pick in the draft.

Furthermore, the marquee tournament is slated to take place next year from February 9 to March 19 with Karachi, Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi selected as host venues for the eighth edition of PSL.

READ: ‘I told Iftikhar this will be my last match’ Rizwan reveals his best T20 knock 

MULTAN: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has put forward his stance on Saud Shakeel’s controversial dismissal, saying that it seemed like the ball had made the ground first but one has to accept the umpires’ decision.

The dismissal, which apparently cost Pakistan a 26-run defeat against England in the second Test, occurred on day 4 when Saud was batting at 94 with Pakistan just 65 runs away from the target. He gloved the ball behind stumps off Mark Wood and wicket-keeper Ollie Pope dived to carry an edge that went too low but still managed to get his gloves underneath the ball.

Was it out or not out?#ASportsHD #PAKvENG #UKsePK pic.twitter.com/HHjVvlmCQ3

— ASports (@asportstvpk) December 12, 2022

On-field umpires referred the decision to third umpire Joel Wilson who took a while to check the catch and declared it out at last.

“To us, it seems like the ball has touched the ground first,” said the Pakistan captain in a post-match press conference on Monday. “But as a professional, you have to accept the umpire’s decision.

Following Saud’s dismissal, England pacers ran through the tailender to bundle out Pakistan for 328 in the second innings and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after a dramatic win in Multan.

“We made some mistakes. The game was well in our hands like the previous one, but, unfortunately, we couldn’t finish it properly,” said Babar.

He added that the lack of experience especially the absence of the team’s key fast bowlers due to injuries led to the team’s disappointing loss in the match.

“We were a bit unlucky that our main bowlers got unfit before the game which cost us this series. But this cannot be an excuse because as a team we didn’t play good cricket” he said.

Pakistan team had rested its bowling mainstay, Naseem Shah after he suffered discomfort in his shoulder before the start of the second Test match while Haris Rauf was ruled out of the series after pulling a quad injury in the first Test.

The final Test of the historic three-match series will take place from December 17 to 21 in Karachi.

READ: England seal series after dramatic win over Pakistan in Multan Test

MULTAN: Despite severe backlash on the team’s defensive mindset, Pakistan captain Babar Azam denied bringing any drastic changes to the team’s long-held planning just to compete with England’s attacking approach.

Speaking at a scheduled press conference ahead of the second Test starting tomorrow in Multan, the Pakistan skipper admitted that the opposition had brought a very different and unique approach to Test cricket.

“They (England) have come with their own unique style and one cannot change the entire game plan after just one game,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“We’ll try to play according to the situation. It’s not like you change your game (plan) at once and try to compete with the opposition’s way of playing.”

He added that they need to stick to their own game plan and mindset with clarity and proper execution.

Talking about the team’s playing XI for the upcoming Test, Babar confirmed that the team had been almost finalized and would soon be revealed once the deliberations on one final change reached the conclusion.

“We just have to decide whether we should go with Faheem Ashraf or Mohammad Wasim Jnr,” he stated.

The national side went with three fast bowlers and one genuine spinner in the Rawalpindi but the injury to one of its pacers, Haris Rauf, will possibly translate into the inclusion of uncapped Wasim or all-rounder Faheem to the playing lineup.

The Pakistan skipper, moreover, has hoped that they will not repeat the same mistakes that cost them a 74-run defeat in the first Test, saying they are confident to make a comeback in the series and the World Test Championship.

“It was our mistake that we didn’t keep the World Test championship in mind while planning for the previous game,” he said.

“Our complete focus is now on the next game. We have made comebacks in the past and can do the same in the future as well.”

Furthermore, Babar maintained that he did not have to prove anything regarding his credentials as a player to anyone.

“I am not bothered about what people say about me. My only aim is to help Pakistan win with my performance,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan are currently trailing the three-match series by 0-1 after they failed to chase 343 runs on a batting surface following England’s bold declaration in the opening Test.

READ: PAK v ENG: Speedster Wood to replace Livingstone for Multan Test

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his hope of competing against a full-strength English side despite several players of the touring party being struck down by illness on Wednesday.

Babar, in a scheduled press conference ahead of the historic Rawalpindi Test, commented on the unfortunate viral spread in the opposition camp, while also hopeful of competing against a complete English side.

“We’ve finalized our plan after the English lineup was unveiled and we will bring our action plan tomorrow. They are tough opposition and play aggressively but we are still hopeful they play with full strength,” said Babar.

“We have been practising for the last week and are well-prepared for the series. The way Naseem Shah and Muhammad Ali are bowling, I am confident my bowlers will make us win,” he added.

The playing conditions and pitches were the most-talked elements of the game amid Australia’s historic tour of Pakistan in April this year, while Babar came up with an assertion this time that the conditions would be favourable for both teams.

“Whenever you play in home conditions, you try to make pitches as per your suitability. However, I think the conditions are still favourable for both teams. The weather conditions are better, fast bowlers and spinners will get a lot of help,” said Babar.

Babar then went on to comment on Pakistan’s chances to make it to the final of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) and shared the team has the potential to make it.

“We will be trying to win at least four of our last five matches so that we can qualify for the final of the World Test Championship,” he concluded.

READ: PAK vs ENG: Trophy unveiling postponed as virus hits English camp