Pakistan’s charismatic batsman, Babar Azam wants to be No.1 batter in all formats and has announced his goal to become the world’s No. 1 batter in all three formats of the game, eclipsing Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik’s prediction that the 27-year-old captain from across the border can achieve history.
Karthik believes Azam has what it takes to become the world’s best batter in all three formats, which would be a first in the game’s history. Azam now has the top ICC rankings in both white-ball and long-form cricket, trailing Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, and England’s prolific run-getter Joe Root.
However, Karthik, who was recently named in India’s selection for a five-match T20I series against South Africa, is convinced that Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed will soon be atop the ICC Test batting records as well.
“Babar Azam wants to be No.1 batter in all formats”
To become the No. 1 batter in all three formats, according to Azam, will be a “dream come true.”
“As a player, becoming the No. 1 in all forms is a dream come true, but it requires dedication and hard effort. It’s not like you take it easy if you’re the best player in one or two formats “The ICC cited Azam as saying on Friday.
“You have to be healthy and on track if you want to be No. 1 in all three.” There is back-to-back cricket, and the space between games is smaller. You must be really fit in order to do so.
“It’s something I’m getting ready for.” “White-ball is going well, and maybe I’ll be able to do well in Tests as well, Babar Azam wants to be No.1 batter in all formats,” He said.
Azam was speaking ahead of the rescheduled ODI series between Pakistan and the West Indies, which will take place on June 8, 10, and 12. Following their T20I series, the three ODIs were postponed in December due to a COVID-19 epidemic in the West Indies camp.
Pakistan swept those T20Is 3-0 and extended their good white-ball success with a 2-1 ODI series triumph against Australia at home and that fueled the idea the Babar Azam wants to be No.1 batter in all formats.
With two tonnes and a half-century, Azam was the hero of the three One-Day Internationals against Australia, averaging 142.5 and scoring at a strike rate of 116.8.
“You go into the series as a team, as a captain, thinking on a clean sweep, whoever the opponent is,” Azam said.
“Against Australia, we had the same mindset: to play difficult cricket and dominate.” The goal is the same against the West Indies, but we aren’t going to underestimate them.
“They may also give you a hard time since they are a dangerous team on any given day. You can’t take it easy on them.”
The ODIs between Pakistan and the West Indies will be held in Multan, with matches beginning at 4 p.m. local time to avoid the worst of the heat.
The three One-Day Internationals are part of the Super League, with both teams vying for a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the Cricket World Cup 2023. West Indies is currently in sixth place, while Pakistan is in tenth.