"Take everyone as opener"- Babar Azam's failure leads to ex-Pakistan captain's explosion
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Pakistan's star cricketer Babar Azam is not in great form ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which is a cause of concern for them. Babar recently opened the batting in the tri-series involving New Zealand and South Africa but failed miserably.
Looking at his lean patch, former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez has asked Pakistan's team management to send Babar Azam back to the No. 3 spot in the batting order. Hafeez feels that Babar should go back to his original spot and Pakistan should opt for a specialist opener at the top.
Mohammad Hafeez asks Babar Azam to go back to No. 3
Mohammad Hafeez took to social media to express his thoughts on Babar's batting position. He named Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, and Abdullah Shafique among the batters who can partner Fakhar Zaman at the top which can let Babar go back to No. 3.
"1- Shaan Masood 2- Imam-ul-Haq 3- Abdullah Shafique Take anyone as opener & let Babar Azam play at no 3 in Champions trophy. Make things easier for everyone," Hafeez posted on X (formerly Twitter).
1- Shaan Masood
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) February 14, 2025
2- Imam-ul-Haq
3- Abdullah Shafique
Take any one as opener & let Babar play at no 3 in Champions trophy. Make things easier for everyone.
Why was Babar Azam pushed to open?
Babar Azam has had most of his success while batting at No. 3 in ODIs. However, the unfortunate injury to the opener Saim Ayub left a vacant spot in Pakistan's top order which prompted the management to send Babar at the top.
Abdullah Shafique was another opener in the mix but the right-hander had a dismal performance in the ODI series against South Africa last year. In the three-match ODI series played in South Africa, Shafique was unable to open his account and was dismissed for a duck in all three games.
Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq are the other options who can open the batting but both of them haven't found a place in Pakistan's squad for the Champions Trophy. Other than Babar, Pakistan also have the option to give a chance to Usman Khan at the top which will enable Babar to go back to No. 3.
Babar Azam in Tri-series
Babar had a disappointing tri-series recently in which he scored 62 runs in three matches at an average of 20.66 and a strike rate of 81.57. He was unable to convert his starts into big ones in any of the three games.
In the final, he looked in good touch till Nathan Smith dismissed him by taking a catch off his own bowling. Babar got out for 29 off 34 balls with 4 fours and 1 six as the whole stadium was stunned in silence.
While Babar didn't have a great tournament with the bat, his opening partner Fakhar Zaman was impressive with 135 runs in three matches at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 120.53.
