Tag: Babar Azam

DUBAI: Following his sensational run in the ongoing home series against Australia, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam has claimed the fifth position in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC)’s Test batters’ rankings, here on Wednesday.

Babar, who has been enjoying a successful series with the bat so far has been rewarded by the ICC as the right-handed batter has grabbed the fifth spot in the recently updated Test batters’ ranking.

Following his sensational 196-run knock against Australia in the Karachi Test, the right-handed batter has moved three places to grab the fifth slot.

Taking to Twitter, ICC shared the updated players’ rankings.

🔹 Babar Azam enters top five of batting list
🔹 Pat Cummins makes gains in all-rounders’ chart

Both Pakistan and Australia skippers move up in the weekly update of the @MRFWorldwide ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings 📈

Details ➡ https://t.co/nLJOeoGJVr pic.twitter.com/WYBZhDyN3A

— ICC (@ICC) March 23, 2022

 

It is pertinent to mention here that Babar still holds the top position in the ODI and T20I batters’ rankings with 873 and 805 ratings respectively.

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LAHORE: Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam has backed the left-handed middle-order batter, Fawad Alam, following a dip in his performance in the home series against Australia.

Babar, while talking to the media ahead of the third Test of the ongoing Benaud-Qadir Trophy, has opened up about Fawad’s recent failures in the historic home series against Australia.

“Fawad Alam is an experienced batter and I believe that he knows how to make a comeback,” he said.

The 27-years-old captain, when asked about playing in his home ground against tough opposition like Australia, said he can not explain his feelings in words. However, is confident of claiming the historic series by winning the Lahore Test.

“I can not express my feelings in words for playing in my home ground. Lahore is hosting a Test match after a gap of thirteen years, so we will try to win it,” he said.

“We will play for the win and will try our best to produce a result,” he said.

Babar then commented about him bowling in the longest format of the game said, he used to bowl before and the change is beneficial in Test cricket.

Pakistan captain then commented about the home side’s performance in the second Test, said the team gave ‘tough time’ to Australia.

It is pertinent to mention here that the third Test between Pakistan and Australia will roll into action from March 21 to March 25.

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LAHORE: Pakistan captain Babar Azam, wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, and the left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi have received their respective trophies from the International Cricket Council (ICC), here on Saturday.

Babar, who was named the Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2021, received his trophy, alongside Rizwan, who also got his hands on the silverware for being named the Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year. Whereas, Shaheen has received the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy as he was named the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year.

Taking to Twitter, the cricketers expressed their gratitude and shared pictures of them posing with the glittering trophies.

“Such an honour to hold this prestigious trophy representing Pakistan. Congratulations to Kaptaan [Babar Azam] and [Mohammad Rizwan] as well for their respective awards. It will definitely push us to do even better,” Shaheen wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Such an honour to hold this prestigious trophy representing Pakistan. Congratulations to Kaptaan @babarazam258 and @iMRizwanPak as well for their respective awards. It will definitely push us to do even better. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/PeIbvpnA88

— Shaheen Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) March 19, 2022

Samajhta hai tu Raaz hai zindagi?
Faqat Zauqe Parwaaz hai zindagi

Congratulations to Kaptaan @babarazam258, ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the year, and @iShaheenAfridi for his prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year.

Onwards & upwards, inshaAllah pic.twitter.com/ye6h17h3g8

— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) March 19, 2022

It is apropos to mention here that Pakistani cricketers ruled the ICC Awards for the year 2021 as Shaheen was named ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, Babar was named ODI Cricketer, while Rizwan was named T20I Cricketer of the Year award. Women’s cricketer Fatima Sana, on the other hand, was named the ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year.

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s top batter and skipper Babar Azam has claimed several records to his name with a fighting century-knock against Australia under pressure.

With Babar’s most recent hundred, which came against Australia on the fourth day of the ongoing Karachi Test. The right-handed batter became only the third captain in the history of cricket to score a hundred in all three formats.

Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan and former South African captain Faf du Plessis were the first two captains to achieve this feat.

With his unbeaten century in the run chase against Australia, Babar has also become only the second batter in the history of world cricket to score a hundred in each format while chasing. India’s KL Rahul was the first batter to achieve this milestone.

The right-handed batter has also broken Younis’s record of the highest score by a Pakistan batter in the fourth innings. Younis scored 171* against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in 2015.

The ninth-ranked Test batter has tumbled Michael Atherton’s all-time world record of the highest score by a captain in the fourth innings (185) as Babar is currently unbeaten 187.

Furthermore, Babar has now surpassed Shoaib Malik’s record of playing the longest innings by a Pakistan batter in the fourth innings of a Test in terms of balls faced.

He has faced 371 balls so far in his gritty innings, while the previous best was Shoaib facing 369 deliveries.

With Babar’s splendid 228-runs partnership with Abdullah in the run chase against Australia. The pair have recorded the second-highest partnership in the fourth innings of a Test match in Asia. Pakistan’s Shan Masood and Younis Khan hold the record of the highest partnership with their 242-runs stand against Sri Lanka in 2015.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan need 148 more runs in 24 overs to seal the highest run chase in the history of Test cricket.

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam said that he has not watched Mitchell Swepson playing as of yet and will try to plan against him, here on Friday.

Babar while talking to a virtual presser ahead of the second Test of the ongoing series, has acknowledged that he has not watched Swepson bowl and will look to plan against him.

“We never saw Swepson bowling but will try to plan against him,” he said.

“We will try to make plans against the leg-spinner by watching the videos of him bowling,” he added.

The young leg-spinner Swepson will make his international debut against Pakistan tomorrow in the second Test of the ongoing Benaud-Qadir Trophy, Australian Test captain Pat Cummins also confirmed.

Babar claimed he is familiar with the conditions and pitch offered at the National Stadium Karachi (NSK) and termed it ‘spin-friendly.’ He further stated that the playing XI will be finalized tomorrow.

“We had a look at the pitch yesterday and planned things initially. We will again have a look today and will finalise our playing XI for tomorrow,” he said.

“We are well aware of the spin-friendly nature of the NSK pitch and are determined of giving tough time to our opposition,” he added.

In response to a question about preparing a favourable pitch in Pindi due to the Australian team’s pressure, Babar stated that their team is strong enough and capable of defeating the Aussies.

“We are not afraid of the Australian team. Every home team makes the most of their home conditions, so did we,” he responded.

Babar further heaped praises on the team’s performance in the Pindi Test, said both batters and bowlers performed really well.

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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has admitted that the absence of Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf in the Rawalpindi Test against Australia affected the team combination of the home side.

Babar, while talking to a virtual presser ahead of the historic Test, admitted that the unavailability of Hasan and Faheem affected the team combination.

“The absence of Hasan and Faheem has affected the combination,” he said.

“Hasan has won us many matches and is a great bowler. While Faheem does well with both bat and the ball,” he added.

The 27-years-old skipper however emphasized that the team is well prepared and will do well in the Benaud-Qadir Trophy.

“The Test players first prepared and played a practice match in Karachi before coming here, so our team is well prepared for the historic series and will give tough time to our opposition,” Babar said.

“Naseem [Shah] and Shaheen [Shah Afridi] are bowling well. Whereas, in the batting unit, Mohammad Rizwan and Fawad Alam are in splendid form,” he quoted saying.

Babar also commented on Yasir Shah’s inclusion in the Playing XI, saying that he is a’match winner,’ but that he will take some time to adjust to fit completely.

“Yasir is a match winner but it will take time to get fit. His fitness and injuries are a matter of concern for us,” he said.

“If Yasir gets fit then we will utilize him where needed,” he added.

Babar went on to claim that because they are professional cricketers, they will not be hindered by having to adapt to a different format. While also emphasizing not taking the opposition lightly.

It is apropos to mention here that Australia is touring Pakistan after a gap of 24 years. The touring side will play three Tests which will take place in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi respectively. While the white-ball series which comprises three ODIs and one-off T20I will be played here.

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RAWALPINDI: 2020 Pakistan Super League (PSL) winning player and the current captain of Karachi Kings – Babar Azam congratulated Lahore Qalandars for winning the PSL 7.

Taking to Twitter, Babar congratulated the Qalandars for PSL 7 triumph, while also lauded the performance of both finalists – the Qalandars and Multan Sultans.

The top-ranked T20I batter further heaped praises to Shaheen Shah Afridi, for his brilliant performance as a captain of Qalandars and showed sympathy towards the runners-up finalist’s captain Multan Sultans – Mohammad Rizwan.

Congrats @lahoreqalandars for winning #PSL7. Amazing display of performance by both the teams. Remarkable feat by @iShaheenAfridi and commiserations to @iMRizwanPak and @multansultans. I want to thank the fans for making PSL a hit! pic.twitter.com/ftaCvdiM2z

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) February 28, 2022

Babar then went on to thank the cricketing fans for making the PSL 7 a hit by their immense support throughout the tournament and filling the stadiums to cheer for their favorite teams.

It is apropos to mention here that the Qalandars won their maiden PSL title last night by defeating the defending champions Sultans by 42 runs in the final of the mega event.

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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has joined the practice session here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as the home series against Australia is just around the corner.

Alongside Babar, Imam-ul-Haq, Fawad Alam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, and Saud Shakeel also participated in the session, while Naseem Shah and Azhar Ali will join the practice session tomorrow.

In a three-hour practice session, the players participated in the batting, bowling, and fielding drills, and also the scenario-based training sessions.

The coaching staff, led by Saqlain Mushtaq, is creating scenarios for the camp’s participants. The players are trying to gain a feel for Test cricket, whether it’s fielding, batting, or bowling, as they haven’t played red-ball cricket since November-December last year.

It is worth mentioning here that the historic tour of Australia will commence with a three-match Test series. Rawalpindi will host the first match, while Karachi and Lahore will host the second and third matches of the series respectively.

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain and Karachi Kings’ President – Wasim Akram revealed his conversation with the Kings’ captain Babar Azam during the death overs against Multan Sultans.

Taking to Twitter, Wasim clarified his discussion with Babar and said he was shocked to see the reaction of the netizens. He further stated that he was just questioning the bowlers’ plans as they were leaking a lot of runs in the death overs.

“Hello! Surprised to see reactions on my talking to Babar at the boundary last night. What I was saying was ‘why our bowlers are not bowling yorkers or slower ones offside off’.nothing else,” he tweeted.

“Babar is a wonderful boy and has tried his best. And what he wants for dinner,” he added.

Hello ! Surprised to see reactions on my talking to Babar at the boundary last night. What I was saying was ‘why our bowlers are not bowling yorkers or slower ones offside off’.nothing else . Babar is a wonderful boy and has tried his best. And what he wants for dinner 🥘 1/2

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) February 17, 2022

 

It is worth mentioning here that the Kings are yet to win a match in this year’s PSL. The former champions have played eight matches in PSL 7 so far and remained win-less.

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DUBAI: In a released video on the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC), former ICC ODI World Cup-winning captain – Ricky Ponting heaped praises on the number one white-ball batter – Babar Azam, said the sky is the limit for him.

Ponting, in the released video, commented, that during Pakistan’s recent tour to Australia, the shots Babar played against Aussies’ strong bowling attack which includes – Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc – made him realize that the 27-years-old is a ‘real deal’.

“During Pakistan’s last tour to Australia, Babar played some lovely front foot drives and back foot punches to the offsides made me realize he is a real deal,” he said.

“This is something that most of the touring batters including England’s Joe Root have failed to do but, Babar made it look so easy. So yeah, I think the sky is the limit for him,” he added.

“He is like the Australian players, when I saw him bat in the second Test in Brisbane, he made batting look so easy in those conditions,” Ponting said.

The legendary captain also claimed that Babar could have been the top Test batter by now if he had played more matches.

“It’s only a matter of time when this guy [Babar] would be the top-ranked batter in Test cricket, and I think he is probably challenging for that position right now,” he added.

“Probably, if he had played some more matches in the last couple of years, he would be knocking the doors to be the top-ranked test batter,” he added.

Ponting then went on to comment on Babar’s recent success in the limited-overs format; including him winning the ICC ODI Player of the Year award, said he has been phenomenal in white-ball cricket for the last four to five years.

“Well, he has been exceptional in the T20 cricket for a couple of years now. He has been breathtakingly good in the white-ball cricket for the last four to five years,” he said.

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