Pakistan head coach Aqib Javed has backed star batter Babar Azam as opener for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
A number of former cricketers criticised the workforce administration’s transfer to advertise the previous Pakistan captain to the highest place for the lately concluded tri-nation sequence and the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
The scrutiny intensified after Babar Azam returned with dismal batting numbers within the three video games of the tri-series.
The suitable-handed batter may handle meagre scores of 10, 23 and 29 in three innings of the continued tri-nation sequence.
Amid the criticism, Pakistan head coach Aqib Javed confirmed confidence within the star batter, saying that he was due for an enormous inning within the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
“Babar has gotten good begins, however he must go deeper. He has an necessary innings due and I count on him to attain in an necessary match for us,” stated Javed after the tri-series last a day earlier.
Learn extra: ‘Babar Azam ought to play at No. 3 in Champions Trophy 2025’
In keeping with Aqib Javed, the workforce administration promoted Babar Azam to the opening slot as he principally got here to bat within the first over within the South Africa away sequence.
“The thought behind Babar’s promotion as an opener is that should you have a look at the away sequence in opposition to South Africa, he needed to bat within the first over in all video games,” he stated.
“Then Saim bought injured and he needed to open in Assessments too. These pitches don’t have that type of bounce and seam motion that might bother the batters at first. We wished our greatest batter to make good use of the powerplay, that fits us extra,” Aqib Javed added.
It’s to be famous right here that Babar Azam primarily performs at No. 3, a batting place the place he has amassed 5,957 runs in 123 ODIs at a mean of 56, with 19 centuries and 23 fifties.
Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Usman Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.