Babar Azam aspires to reach a level where other batsman are compared to him
Babar Azam, has undoubtedly been one of the most consistent batsman in the past few years after his debut against Zimbabwe in 2015. He is often put in a league comprising of the ‘Fab Four’ players which includes Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steven Smith and Joe Root.
Babar Azam averages over 50 in the limited overs format and boasts an impressive average of 45.44 in test cricket. Many cricketing fans reckon Azam as the member of the Fab Four, replacing Joe Root who has been vastly inconsistent.
However, Babar Azam wants to set his own benchmark to which other players are compared and not the other way round. The Pakistan skipper has the quality and temperament to win matches for his team just like the Fab Four.
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“I feel proud to be compared with these top batsmen and to be ranked in the top five of the world. But my dream is that one day I also reach a stage where other batsmen are compared to me and not me being compared to others,” Babar said in an interview to a YouTube channel.
“I know that I also have to perform like them in every condition and compete with them. I also want to perform like them and win matches for the team like they do.” he continued.
“Pakistan Cricket Board has told me to play fearless cricket,” says Babar Azam
Babar Azam led Pakistan side are scheduled to face New Zealand in a three match T20 series and a two match test series in December. The Pakistan skipper believes that playing in overseas conditions is always a huge task, given the fact how miserably the Asian subcontinent teams have fared overseas. Azam said that scoring runs in England, Australia and South Africa gave him immense satisfaction.
“When you get runs in places like Australia, England, South Africa it gives you satisfaction and people sit up and take notice of you. New Zealand will be a tough series but I have psyched myself to continue my runs in the two tests and three T20 matches,” said Babar Azam.
“In England we did well and gave them a tough time so I am optimistic we can do well. Conditions in New Zealand are different and we have to adjust to those conditions. Good we are going there early so that it gives us more time to get used to their conditions,” the Pakistan skipper further added.
Babar Azam was made the captain of Pakistan for the limited overs format last year and was handed the test team captaincy recently. Asked about the pressure he feels, leading Pakistan in all three formats, Babar Azam said that the PCB had asked him to play fearless cricket and not worry about losing matches.
“The board had indicated to me they were considering me Test captain when they made me white ball captain last year. They have told me to play fearlessly and not worry about losing matches. They will support me. They have told me I am there as captain for a long time,” Azam concluded.