Test Captaincy Will Not Have Any Negative Effect On Babar Azam's Batting, Says Imran Tahir

Pakistan-born South-African leg-spinner, Imran Tahir has opined that Babar Azam will continue his rich vein of form even after having the added responsibilities as a Test captain. Tahir is also looking forward to playing against Pakistan next year.

Last week Azam was announced as the Test captain of the team replacing Azhar Ali. Azhar has captained the Pakistan team in 9 Test matches- winning 2 against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and losing 4 versus New Zealand, Australia, and England.

Babar was made the limited-overs skipper last year replacing Sarfaraz Ahmed after Pakistan’s exit from the league stage in the World Cup. His first assignment as an all-format leader would be to take on New Zealand. The men in green will tour to New Zealand for 3 T20Is starting 27th November followed by a 2-match Test series.

Babar is one of the best batsmen in the world: Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir, while talking to Dawn from the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground (LCCA), hailed Babar Azam as one of the finest batters in the world. He is impressed by the way Azam has led Pakistan in limited-overs cricket.

Tahir feels that the extra pressure of leading the team in all three formats will not have any negative impact on the 26-year-old ‘s batting. Currently, the right-hander averages 45 in Test cricket, and over 50 in ODIs and T20Is each.

Speaking to Dawn, Imran Tahir said, “Look, Babar Azam is one of the finest and best batsmen in the world, and the way he is taking responsibility, I don’t feel that captaincy in all three formats will make any negative effect on his batting.”

Pakistan is supposed to host South-Africa next year for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is, although nothing is confirmed yet. It will South-Africa’s first tour of the Asian country in 14 years. The 41-year-old believes that it is a positive development that the Protea team will visit Pakistan and is a huge boost to cricket in both countries.

“It is a very positive development that South Africans are coming to Pakistan (next year) and it is a huge boost for the country’s cricket,” he said.

Tahir, who has retired from Test and ODI cricket, has his eyes on the T20 World Cup scheduled for next year in India. However, the leggie last played a T20 international in March 2019.

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