- Urge team management to place Babar Azam at no. 3, Rizwan or Usman Khan to open with Fakhar Zaman
- Coach Aqib Javed and skipper Rizwan endorse Babar Azam’s role as opener
ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan prepares for the ICC Champions Trophy with its pre-selected squad, a lively debate has emerged regarding the team’s opening combination, particularly the prospect of Babar Azam returning to the No. 3 position.
Many former players and cricket analysts argue that Babar’s past performances at one-down justify the change, especially after the team’s disappointing tri-nation ODI series campaign.
Following the team’s disappointing display in the tri-series final, critics have voiced their frustrations, emphasizing that while the past is behind them, the focus must now shift to the Champions Trophy.
They regard the tri-series as a crucial wake-up call for the green shirts, shedding light on critical issues like questionable captaincy, an unstable batting lineup, and a bowling attack that lacks depth—key factors that contributed to their defeat in tri-series finale.
Basit Subhani, a passionate cricket aficionado hailing from Islamabad, has gleaned some silver linings from the recent tri-series: the explosive batting consistency of Tayyab Tahir, Naseem’s triumphant return to form, and Salman Agha’s exceptional all-round prowess.
“Ultimately, it’s quite disheartening that Pakistan has failed to secure a tri-series trophy on home soil. If we continue with such a cautious mindset and line-up, we might as well forget the Champions Trophy,” he remarked with a hint of frustration.
Meanwhile, Zayn Rasul, a devoted cricket fan from Lahore, expressed his thoughts on Babar Azam, who notched up two fifties against South Africa, regaining his form and rhythm as he played at No. 3, leading the team to victories against Australia and South Africa on their home turf.
“It puzzles me why that successful batting order and momentum have been disrupted. The only setback was Saim Ayub’s injury, but with Fakhar Zaman stepping into his shoes, who is currently in fine form and has showcased his talent during the tri-series, Pakistan found Saim’s replacement timely. For the Champions Trophy, all we need to do is open with Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan or Rizwan, with Babar slotting in at No. 3. Although Usman hasn’t had his chance in the tri-series, he is a seasoned opener ready to shine,” he stated confidently.
Former Pakistan cricket star Basit Ali has expressed his strong disapproval of the decision to elevate the batting maestro Babar Azam to the opener position ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
“Securing victory in the tri-nation series could have provided a significant morale boost. Now, what does that leave us with in terms of confidence? Cricket thrives on self-assurance, and if that foundation is rattled, you risk falling behind,” he remarked.
Ali further critiqued the management’s choice to shift Babar from his successful number three spot, where he had been consistently racking up impressive scores between 50 and 70 against South Africa.
“What sort of reasoning is this? He was excelling in the number three position, but now they (management) have opted to change things up. Look at the result—just 62 runs in three matches in the tri-nation series. This reflects the troubling mindset of the management,” he noted.
The former cricketer lamented Babar’s struggles in this new role, highlighting his lackluster performances in the recent ODI series, with scores of just 10, 23, and 29.
Former Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir voiced his discontent over the recent decision concerning Babar Azam’s batting order, emphasizing the captain’s knack for nurturing innings from the pivotal number three spot. “I’ve mentioned before that without the new ball in hand, I can’t fully leverage my capabilities,” Amir remarked.
“In the same vein, Babar thrives at No. 3, where he expertly orchestrates the innings. The responsibilities of an opener in ODIs and Tests starkly contrast with those in T20s,” he elaborated.
The left-arm speedster further underscored the significance of well-defined batting roles in the longer formats, shedding light on how strategies and mindsets shift across different game formats.
“An opener must evolve through different phases. The initial 10 overs call for calculated risks, while the following 10 are all about forging partnerships,” he explained.
“Babar is undoubtedly a top-tier player, but I firmly believe that No. 3 is where his true potential shines. When faced with challenges, it’s tempting to experiment, but often, sticking to proven methods yields the best results.”
Coach Aqib Javed and skipper Rizwan endorse Babar Azam as opener
Amidst a swirl of criticism, Pakistan’s head coach Aqib Javed expressed unwavering faith in star batter Babar Azam, anticipating a breakthrough performance in the forthcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
“Babar has started well in matches, but he needs to push further into the innings. A significant performance is on the horizon, and I believe he will deliver when it matters,” Javed stated confidently.
The decision to elevate Babar to the opening slot was strategic, given his experiences during the recent South Africa series, where he often found himself batting in the first over.
“In that series, Babar faced the new ball right from the start, which was a challenge. The pitches there lacked the bounce and seam movement that typically trouble batters early on. We wanted to leverage his skills during the powerplay, which better suits our style of play,” Javed elaborated.
Team captain Mohammad Rizwan has also rallied behind Babar, emphasizing his technical prowess. “When Abdullah Shafique fell early in South Africa, Babar had to manage the new ball. He handled the seam and swing well, allowing us to mount a strong finish. It made sense to have our most technically proficient player open instead of risking someone less experienced,” Rizwan explained.
Should Babar’s opening role falter, Rizwan is ready to adapt. “We have other capable players who can step up if needed,” he remarked. He acknowledged the significant impact of Saim Ayub’s absence, a versatile player who excelled in multiple roles, including fielding and bowling.
“Losing him was a major setback, so we opted for the reliability of Babar, our top batter,” he concluded, highlighting the team’s commitment to resilience and adaptability.
In a parallel sentiment, ex-cricketers Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmad Shahzad have raised their eyebrows, pondering the rationale of shifting Babar Azam’s place in the batting order.
The reigning champions and host nation, Pakistan, is set to kick off its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 journey with a match against New Zealand on February 19, leading up to the highly anticipated showdown with their arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23.
