Babar Azam could not leave his impact in the opening two ODIs of the New Zealand-South Africa tri-series. As Pakistan prepares to face New Zealand in the tri-series final in Karachi on Friday, Mohammad Rizwan has extended his wholehearted support to Babar Azam, who is confident of playing his best cricket.
Runs in the final would be a welcome addition, but the greater aim is the Champions Trophy, where Pakistan would hope its best batsman to shine. Babar’s form across mediums has been a struggle, and his ODI form – traditionally his strongest domain – has been no exception. Since August 2023 when the Asia Cup began, he has averaged 42.90 in 25 ODIs, a far cry from his career-best standards.
This set has done nothing to halt the trend. He was bowled out for 10 in the first game against New Zealand, and in Pakistan’s record-breaking 353-run run chase against South Africa, Babar started well before getting trapped in front by Wiaan Mulder for 23. But Rizwan feels the pressure of expectation has unduly blown Babar’s setbacks out of proportion.
Babar has run so many for Pakistan that we are expecting him to score a hundred in every match,” Rizwan said. If we don’t judge him on those high standards, you’ll find he’s still contributing and playing worthily for us.
As a captain, I demand more of him too because of everything he has done in the past. There is an extra pressure because of it and I’m sure he feels that too. But if you have a look at his South African innings, [he is continuing to score runs]. It is not like there are obvious technical issues with him, but he is still getting tested. I am sure he’ll bounce out of it.
