Pakistan’s cricket team has finalized Babar Azam as Fakhar Zaman’s opening partner for the upcoming Tri-Nation Series and ICC Champions Trophy, marking a significant shift in his batting role.
The team management has assigned Babar a pivotal position akin to Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary role for India, urging him to anchor the innings in ODIs. This move comes after rising star Saim Ayub was sidelined for 2 to 2.5 months due to an ankle injury suffered in the Cape Town Test.
Initially, Chief Selector Asad Shafiq had left the second opener’s spot undecided, but discussions involving Mohammad Rizwan, Aqib Javed, batting coach Shahid Aslam, and the selectors confirmed Babar’s elevation to the role.
At 30 years old, Babar boasts an impressive ODI record—5,957 runs at an average of 56 in 123 matches, including 19 centuries and 23 fifties. While he regularly opens in T20Is, he has previously opened in ODIs only twice against England in 2015.
With the team management backing this strategic shift, Babar will be expected to bat deep into the innings and provide stability at the top order—potentially shaping Pakistan’s success in the upcoming tournaments.