Ex-Pakistan Pacer Leaks Babar Azam’s Suitable Batting Position In ODIs

The former Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, had a decent time in the 50-over format in the last couple of years. Last year, the right-handed batter drilled 228 runs in six ODI innings at an average of 57 and a strike rate of nearly 76.51, shouldering on two half-centuries at the best score of 73.

During the 2023 season, Babar notched up 1065 runs in 24 ODI innings at an average of 46.30 and a strike rate of 84.66, thanks to two centuries and 10 half-centuries at the best score of 151. The graph was at a decent height, but it has started to come down, in the ongoing year.

Babar Azam’s recent ODI performance in the home tri-series

The Green Brigade faced a major injury blow before announcing their squad for the upcoming home Champions Trophy. Their young opening batter, Saim Ayub, who injured himself during the second Cape Town Test against South Africa, couldn’t take part in the eight-team tournament.

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That led the selectors to bring Fakhar Zaman as the opener. But Zaman’s partner was not decided. The team management decided to promote Babar Azam to the top, even though he hardly enjoyed the position in the ODIs.

The 30-year-old managed a scratchy knock of 10 runs in just 23 deliveries against New Zealand in the tri-series opener at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. In their second clash against South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi, Babar looked in good touch for his 23 runs in 19 balls but couldn’t carry the good work.

Finally, in the last game against the Kiwis, the Karachi-born stretched himself to 29 runs in 34 balls, thanks to four boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 85.29. However, none of these knocks will inspire Pakistan's team management to keep him in the opening position for the Champions Trophy.

Ex-Pakistan Pacer reveals Babar Azam’s ODI batting position

Pakistan’s former left-arm pacer, Mohammad Amir, felt Babar Azam should bat at his suitable number three position in the 50-over format. The veteran claimed that Babar’s strength is building the innings, as he knows when to hit boundaries and keeps building partnerships.

“See, I am saying you, like what’s my strength? If the captain doesn’t throw me the new ball, then I don’t have that much skill because that’s my strength. So, I want to fix with my power. Babar's strength is number three. He knows how to build the innings from thereon.” Mohammad Amir expressed this during a recent interaction.

“The opener’s role is different. In T20Is, it can work, but in Tests and ODIs, the entire role is something else, and it has to be done in the right manner. For the first 10 overs, you may need to hit a few boundaries, or for the next 10 overs, you may be required to build an innings. So, the entire role is different.” The southpaw addressed.

Amir claimed that Babar, being a fantastic player, should stick at the number three position.

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“Undoubtedly, Babar is a fantastic player, but I always feel that he should have batted at number three. That’s his strength. Yes, when you are that much good, you start to apply yourself at different positions and try to score runs to take your graph up.” The left-arm fast bowler of Pakistan expressed.

Babar Azam’s ODI batting comparison at number 3 and opening position for Pakistan

Babar has batted only five times at the opening position to grab 88 runs at an average of 17.60 and a strike rate of 78.57 in five ODI innings.

However, at the number three position, he has smacked 5416 runs in 104 ODI innings at an average of 60.18 with 19 centuries and 29 half-centuries at the best score of 158.