Babar Azam Likely to Open for Pakistan in Champions Trophy
Babar Azam may team up with Fakhar Zaman as an opener in the upcoming Champions Trophy, according to Asad Shafiq, a member of Pakistan’s National Selection Committee. The squad for the ICC event was announced on January 31, and Shafiq mentioned that either Babar or Saud Shakeel could take the opening spot alongside Fakhar.
Notably, Pakistan will be without Saim Ayub, who is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during the South Africa tour. The selection committee also chose not to include Abdullah Shafique, who played a role as an opener in the ODI World Cup 2023 held in India. Following the squad announcement, Shafiq explained that the decision on who opens will depend on various factors like weather, the opponent, and game strategy.
“Fakhar’s partner at the top could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, and this will depend on the match conditions,” Shafiq stated.
Shafiq expressed confidence in both players, pointing out Babar’s rich experience in international cricket. “Both are very capable of opening, with Babar especially experienced in this role, as he has frequently opened in T20Is. He also showed his form by scoring two half-centuries during the Cape Town Test when Saim Ayub was unavailable,” said Shafiq.
Babar’s Openings: A Brief Look
Historically, Babar Azam has opened in just two matches for Pakistan, scoring a total of 26 runs with a highest score of 22. Usually, he bats at No. 3 in ODIs, but his performance during the 2023 ODI World Cup faced some criticism.
Pakistan will kick off their Champions Trophy journey against New Zealand on February 19, with a high-stakes match against India just four days later in Dubai.
Pakistan’s 15-Man Squad for the Champions Trophy:
- Mohammad Rizwan (captain)
- Babar Azam
- Fakhar Zaman
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel
- Tayyab Tahir
- Faheem Ashraf
- Khushdil Shah
- Salman Ali Agha
- Usman Khan
- Abrar Ahmed
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Naseem Shah
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
