Ramiz Raja breaks silence on Babar Azam after Mohammad Rizwan fires shots at former Pakistan captain

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has praised Babar Azam after the latter was recalled to the national side for the forthcoming white-ball series against Australia. Ramiz Raja compared Babar Azam to former West Indies legend Vivian Richards.

Notably, Babar was recently dropped from the Pakistan squad during the Test series against England. Azam, with other three key members, was removed from the Test squad after Pakistan lost the 1st Test against England.

Babar got out for 30 and 5 in the match as England defeated Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs. Notably, Azam's replacement Kamran Ghulam scored a century on his debut in the 2nd Test in Multan.

Babar Azam needs to prove he is like Vivian Richards: Ramiz Raja

Babar Azam also left Pakistan's captaincy in ODIs and T20Is post the incident. However, the star batter has been recalled in the ODI and T20I squads for the Australia tour.

Hailing the right-handed batsman in his YouTube video, former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja said Azam has a lot to achieve in Test cricket. He also added Azam needs to prove he's like West Indies legend Vivian Richards.

"I feel Babar has to achieve a lot more in Test cricket. He plays the white-ball format really well, has an average of 50-plus in both formats. There is so much potential in Babar Azam. Ab unko apne temperament se batana hai duniya mei ke woh ek Viv Richards hain. (Now he has to prove to the world with his temperament that he is Viv Richards)", he said.

"Bigger the contest, bigger the innings Richards used to play. I am just hoping that he (Babar) rediscovers himself after returning from rest because important series are coming up," Ramiz Raja further added.

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Pakistan crushed England 2-1 in the Test series

Interestingly, the selectors' idea to drop Babar Azam with the other three members namely Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed worked in their favour. After facing a humiliating defeat in the 1st Test, Pakistan made a stunning comeback in the series by winning the next two games and the series as well.

With the help of a brilliant spin attack by Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, the home team crushed England by 152 runs in the 2nd Test. Later, they also stunned them by 9 wickets in the 3rd Test. Azam's replacement Kamran Ghulam slammed 147 runs in 3 innings during the series.

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Pakistan to tour Australia for three ODIs and T20Is

Now, Babar Azam looks forward to a marvelous show in the forthcoming ODI and T20I series against Australia. Mohammad Rizwan is the new skipper of Pakistan in ODIs and T20Is.

Australia vs Pakistan ODI series will be played first and the opening encounter takes place on November 4 in Melbourne. 2nd and 3rd ODI will be played in Adelaide and Perth on November 8 and 10.

T20I series will begin with the opening game on November 14 at The Gabba in Brisbane. 2nd and 3rd match takes place on November 16 and 18 respectively. During their last tour of Australia early this year, Pakistan lost the three-match Test series 3-0.