"Good that Babar Azam isn't playing"- Pakistan teammate's gigantic claim

Star Pakistan batter, Babar Azam, has left the Stallions squad in the Champions One-Day Cup 2024 as he prepares for the upcoming series between hosts Pakistan and England. Babar's Champions Cup team is likely to feel his absence because of the magnitude of his stature.

But Stallions captain Mohammad Haris thinks otherwise. Haris has revealed Babar's inspirational words during the tournament in which the latter claimed that everyone in the team is Babar Azam and it all depends on who performs on the given day.

Also read: MS Dhoni's abusive nature exposed by teammate

Mohammad Haris speaks on the top players leaving the team midway through the Test series

During the press conference, Mohammad Haris was asked about the team's change in strategy and planning after the departure of Babar, Shan Masood, and Abrar Ahmed. But the Stallions skipper was positive as it would give the other youngsters to shine on the big stage and it would be a great opportunity for them.

"I told the youngsters that this is not a problem for you because if they (Babar Azam, Shan Masood, and Abrar Ahmed) was still playing, you wouldn't get a chance to be in the Playing XI. So, this is a great opportunity for the youngsters," Haris stated.

"They were in the playing XI by replacing those players. They got a chance to expose themselves and this is a good opportunity for them," he added.

Babar, Shan Masood, and Abrar Ahmed have all left the Stallions and will not take any part in the remaining matches of the Champions Cup. All three are part of Pakistan's squad for the Test series against Pakistan.

Babar bhaii ne kaha tha team me sub Babar Azam hain islye unkey janay se fark nahi parapic.twitter.com/dYsHE4yYUa

— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) September 25, 2024

Mohammad Haris reveals Babar Azam's inspirational words

When asked if the team was under any sort of pressure after Babar's departure, Mohammad Haris revealed Babar's words in which he said that everyone in the team is Babar Azam and it depends on the particular player's performance on the given day.

"No, Babar (Azam) bhai told us during the first day that me, Shan Masood, and Haris Rauf, all of us are here but there is no need to be dependent on us. You are also an equally good player," Haris said.

"Not everyone is the best but the one who performs on the given day is the best. Unhone sab ko bata diya tha ki aap bhi Babar Azam ho (He had told everyone that every player) is Babar Azam. So, we didn't feel anything much despite his departure," the wicketkeeper-batter added.

Babar Azam in Champions Cup 2024

Babar was in great form in the Champions Cup for Stallions as he scored 230 runs in 4 matches at an average of 76.66 and a strike rate of 98.71 with 1 hundred and 1 fifty. He is currently the fourth-highest run-scorer of the tournament and the second-highest run-getter for Stallions.

His return to form in the tournament is a big boost for Pakistan as Babar was going through a difficult time in the last few months. He failed miserably in the last Test series against Bangladesh where he aggregates 64 runs in 4 innings at an average of just 16.

Babar will be in action in the upcoming three-match Test series between Pakistan and England, scheduled to begin on October 7. It will be a crucial series for the Men in Green who are desperate for a win in Test cricket. Shan Masood will continue to lead Pakistan in the series despite his poor captaincy record so far.