Tag: Babar Azam

DUBAI: Left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman grabbed the ninth position whereas Pakistani skipper Babar Azam retained the top position in ICC ODI ranking for batters. 

In the latest update in ICC rankings, Fakhar jumped a spot up to take the ninth position in the ranking chart. England’s captain Joe Root settled on 10th position.

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli is in the second position with an 828 rating. Rohit Sharma number three batter in the rankings.

🔹 Babar Azam still at the top
🔹 Rohit Sharma closes in on Virat Kohli
🔹 Fakhar Zaman and Joe Root sneak into the top 10

Here’s how things stand after the latest update to the @MRFWorldwide ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings for batters 📈

More details 👉 https://t.co/gkPWgLbUCq pic.twitter.com/JOgc1SpQKm

— ICC (@ICC) February 9, 2022

Pakistan will play against Australia in the upcoming three home ODIs. The Aussies are going to tour Pakistan after a long gap of 24 years.

READ: Wasim, Atherton, Border discuss Australia’s historic tour of Pakistan

KARACHI: Babar Azam – Karachi Kings’ skipper is confident for his side to make comeback in upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7 matches. 

Taking to Twitter, Babar motivated Kings’ fans and ensured better performance in next match. “Not the start we were preparing for but there’s a lot more to come and we believe we can turn this around. It’s never over until it’s over,” he wrote.

Not the start we were preparing for but there's a lot more to come and we believe we can turn this around. It's never over until it's over. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/mWV86w5Xks

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) January 31, 2022

It must be noted here that Babar-led Kings lost all three matches so far in PSL 7. Their next game will be against Peshawar Zalmi on February 7.

KARACHI: Afghanistan’s star all-rounder – Mohammad Nabi, who is representing Karachi Kings in the ongoing seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), said his desire to play under the leadership of Babar Azam has been fulfilled in Kings.

Nabi, while speaking exclusively to ARY News, disclosed that the Afghan all-rounder had a desire to play under Babar, which, however, has been fulfilled in the ongoing PSL 7.

“My desire to play under the leadership of Babar Azam has been fulfilled in Karachi Kings. I now wish to play under Virat Kohli,” he said.

Talking about the Kings’ performance in the ongoing mega event, Nabi stated that the former champions need an experienced fast bowler to strengthen the bowling unit.

“Karachi Kings are lacking the services of an experienced fast bowler. Our bowling unit is a little weak,” he said.

“The playing-XI will be strengthened with Mohammad Amir’s return. We are also waiting for Chris Jordan,” he added.

Nabi also said that the team will work to get rid of the issues in a few days gap.

Talking about the fans’ favourite Kings-Qalandars clash, Nabi claimed that the Kings felt the absence of left-arm pacer – Mohammad Amir.

“Karachi Kings missed the presence of Amir against Lahore Qalandars,” he said.

“At an instance, it seemed like we are going to win but the results turned out to be different,” he added.

Nabi also claimed that the competition gets tougher for him if he and Rashid Khan are in the opposing team, while also shared that he always tries that Rashid could not get him out.

The 37-years-old went on to say that he is always in contact with the Pakistani cricketers while sharing that Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali supported him to groom the young Afghan cricketers.

The Kings’ all-rounder also lauded the PSL, said he always enjoys playing in the marquee event.

READ: Shahid Afridi recovers from COVID-19, set to enter the bubble

DUBAI: Pakistan’s captain and the world number one ODI batter – Babar Azam has won the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Player of the Year, here on Monday.

In a press release, shared on the official website of the ICC, the cricket council announced Babar as the winner of the Men’s ODI Player of the Year Award.

Taking to Twitter, the ICC shared the release, in which Babar is announced as the best ODI player for the year 2021.

⭐️ Shakib vs Babar vs Malan vs Stirling ⭐️

The winner of the 2021 ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year has been announced ⬇️https://t.co/M2f6dkelFf

— ICC (@ICC) January 24, 2022

 

In 2021, Babar only played six ODIs but made vital contributions in the two series that Pakistan played this year.

The top-ranked batter scored 405 runs at an average of 67.50 including two centuries.

His top performance came against England, in which the right-handed batter scored his career-best 158, but, went in vain as the men in green could not pull off the victory despite his heroics.

Taking to Twitter, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) congratulated Babar for the remarkable achievement.

“PCB congratulates Babar Azam on winning ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2021,” the cricket board wrote.

PCB congratulates @babarazam258 on winning ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2021 pic.twitter.com/BLqblHbJiq

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 24, 2022

 

READ: ICC names Mohammad Rizwan as the Men’s T20I Player of the Year

KARACHI: The world’s number one T20I batter and the captain of Karachi Kings, while doing a presser ahead of the forthcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) said that Sharjeel Khan needs to improve his fitness to make a return in international cricket.

In the presser, Babar shared that the Kings’ skipper enjoys batting with the explosive left-hander Sharjeel, but advised him to improve his fitness to make a national return.

“Sharjeel Khan is a game-changer, I always enjoyed batting with him,” Babar said.

“He [Sharjeel] needs to improve his fitness to return into international cricket,” he added.

Babar, while talking about his appointment as the Kings’ skipper said he is thankful to the Almighty Allah, while determined to give his best input for the team.

“I am thankful to Allah that I was appointed as the captain of Karachi Kings. I will try to give my best input,” he said.

“I will try to maintain the good captaincy of Imad Wasim,” he added.

When being asked about the Karachi-Lahore faceoff, Babar said that he always enjoy playing against Lahore Qalandars.

“The match against Lahore Qalandars has always been interesting and fun to play,” Babar said.

“Shaheen always gives tough time, Harris Rauf is also a good bowler, you have to make plans against him,” he added.

Babar also backed the Kings’ pacer – Mohammad Amir said, “Amir is my game-changing bowler. He has won crucial matches for Karachi Kings”

Babar also lauded the Kings’ head coach – Peter Moores said that the players are learning a lot from his experience.

Furthermore, the 27-years-old expressed his hope that the league goes well while sharing that the right-handed batter has become used to the bio-secure bubble and the COVID-19 protocols.

It is worth mentioning here that the PSL 7 will commence on January 27 with the Kings taking on the defending champions – Multan Sultans in the curtain-raiser at National Stadium.

READ: Pakistan beat PNG by nine wickets to finish group stage at top position

KARACHI: Star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi praised the captaincy of the national team’s skipper Babar Azam and wished for him to continue in this role for at least 10-15 years. 

In a pre-PSL 7 media conference, Lahore Qalandars’ newly appointed captain Afridi was asked whether he would like to do the captaincy of the Pakistan team in the future.

“I don’t have any plans for now as Babar is leading the side so well. Under his captaincy, the team gelled strongly and performed. I wish he continues as captain for at least 10-15 years,” he responded.

“In the future, if any opportunity comes to me, I would love to do it for my country. But, for now, I want Babar to continue for long,” he added.

It must be noted here that Shaheen and Babar will be leading their respective franchises Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings for the first time in PSL 7.

READ: PCB COO Salman Naseer unveils PSL 7 trophy

DUBAI: International Cricket Council (ICC) named Babar Azam as the captain of its ODI Team of 2021. 

Babar has been named as the captain of XI announced by the ICC based on their performances. Fakhar Zaman is the other Pakistani player in the team whereas there is no Indian player.

Earlier, Babar was named the captain of the ICC T20I team of 2021. Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi also joined his team. In the ICC T20I team too, there was no Indian player.

READ: ICC name Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen in T20I Team of the Year

ICC ODI Team of 2021

Paul Stirling (Ireland), Janneman Malan (South Africa), Babar Azam (c) (Pakistan), Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan), Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa), Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk) (Bangladesh), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka), Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh), Simi Singh (Ireland), Dushmantha Chameera (Sri Lanka)

Power-hitters, terrific all-rounders, fiery pacers 🔥

The 2021 ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year has all the bases covered 🤩 pic.twitter.com/R2SCJl04kQ

— ICC (@ICC) January 20, 2022

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ skipper and his Lahore Qalandars’ counterpart – Shaheen Afridi are eager to extend their competition into the upcoming seventh edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Babar and Shaheen will come face to face twice in this season. The first encounter will take place on January 30 in Karachi, when the Kings take on the Qalandars, while the second match will take place on February 18 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Babar heaped praises on Shaheen’s bowling ability and said it is going to be an exciting battle.

“Facing Shaheen is always a thrilling proposition as he asks a lot of questions. His searing pace, ability to bring the ball back, and guileful variations keep a batter judging. He has a passion to learn and, over the years, has developed this phenomenal ability to adapt to conditions quickly,” Babar said.

“It will be tough, but an exciting battle and I look forward to facing Shaheen once again. I am sure, the fans are also eagerly awaiting it,” Babar concluded.

Shaheen, on the other hand, termed Babar as a tough batter to deal with, however, said he is excited for the battle in front of Karachi and Lahore’s crowd.

“Babar is a tough batter and his solid technique tests you whenever and wherever you bowl at him. Wearing a soft smile on his face, he will dispatch you to the boundary in every part of the ground and nullify all your plans,” Shaheen said.

“The battle with Babar will be an interesting one in front of both Karachi and Lahore crowds. I will be enjoying it for sure and I hope the fans will also have fun watching it,” Shaheen concluded.

Babar and Shaheen have come face to face on numerous occasions. Babar has scored 69 runs off Shaheen’s 43 deliveries, including 12 boundaries. Whereas, Shaheen managed to dismiss the top-ranked T20I batter once.

READ: Haseebullah Khan goes past Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ all-rounder Imad Wasim is excited about the upcoming seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and is confident to continue performing for the most followed franchise of the event. 

In a local event here on Saturday, Wasim said he is waiting for all the players to gather and PSL 7 to start.

“I am excited about the new PSL season. It’s a new challenge for me to play as a player but I am up for it,” he said.

“Babar is a good captain and we will plan things strongly once we gather for the event. We have started light training here and I am waiting for foreign players to arrive,” he added.

It must be noted here that Imad led Kings to PSL 2020 title at Karachi’s National Stadium. They beat their arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in the final.

READ: Get discount on PSL 7 tickets by Jan 17: PCB

LAHORE: Pakistan’s captain in all three formats, Babar Azam praised captaincy advice from Champions Trophy 2017 winning skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed. 

In Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s ceremony to honor cricketers, Babar said he goes to Sarfaraz for captaincy advice anytime.

“As a captain, I learned a lot from Saifi Bhai. I always go to him for captaincy advice because I know his experience as a skipper. He knows the game very well and is always there to support me,” he shared.

Babar once again called ‘Pakistan victory against India in T20 World Cup’ as a highlight for him in 2021.

“The highlight for me in 2021 was our victory against India. I am happy with how our players performed like a unit. We didn’t take pressure against them,” he said.

Pakistan beat India for the first time in ICC World Cup that too by 10 wickets.

READ: T20 World Cup: Tickets for PakvsInd sold out within hours