Babar Azam, the celebrated batting talent of Pakistan, is radiating a strong sense of confidence as his team gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Despite a few hiccups in his performance during the recent tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, with scores of 10, 23, and 29, Babar stands firm in his belief and readiness to lead his squad into upcoming challenges. He stated, 'There is no pressure of anything. We have discussed our past mistakes and worked on them. The team relies on me, and I take that responsibility positively.'
Strategic Shifts and Batting Order Adjustments
Due to an injury to Saim Ayub, the team had to rethink their strategy, placing Babar at the top of the order as the opening batsman. This shift wasn't arbitrary; according to team captain Mohammad Rizwan, Babar's technical prowess is unmatched, making him the logical choice to face any formidable bowling attack from the outset. 'Babar is the most solid technical player in our squad,' Rizwan mentioned, citing the decision as a blend of necessity and tactical foresight. Although some fans might question the departure from traditional opener roles, this reconfiguration reflects Pakistan's adaptive game plan focusing on Babar's consistency.
Exploiting Home Ground Advantages
The Champions Trophy presents an added benefit for Pakistan: playing most games on home turf. Familiar pitches and conditions offer the team a distinct edge, which they are keen to leverage. The country’s pace attack, spearheaded by notable bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, is poised to capitalize on these benefits. Concurrently, Babar's potential to anchor the innings is seen as pivotal. That said, they're aware of the challenge posed by away games, particularly the match against India in Dubai on February 23, where different playing conditions can pose a unique test.
In terms of leadership, Babar Azam offers more than just his batting expertise. He is instrumental in mentoring emerging talents such as Fakhar Zaman and Saud Shakeel—efforts he hopes will maintain the team’s unity and confidence reminiscent of their 2017 victory. His assertion, 'The belief and confidence are the same as in 2017. We have new players, but the execution remains consistent,' underlies his commitment to blending fresh talent with consistent performance.
However, Pakistan's path isn’t without its hurdles. Babar's recent performances as an opener are under scrutiny, given his current average of 17.60 across five innings. Additionally, the spin department, still somewhat inexperienced with Abrar Ahmed at the helm, presents another area needing attention. Despite these challenges, Babar is optimistic that the strategic tweaks and collective effort will enable the team to replicate the success of their Champions Trophy win in 2017.