Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hopes that his extraordinary run-scoring can fire Pakistan to World Cup glory and in the process fulfill a childhood dream while he is in the form of his life across the three formats of international cricket.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hopes that his extraordinary run-scoring can fire Pakistan to World Cup glory and in the process fulfill a childhood dream.
Babar Azam is in the form of his life across the three formats of international cricket and last week became the first batsman to hit three consecutive centuries on two separate occasions in ODIs.
However, he told AFP that his prolific form will count for little if it does not bring success at the T20 World Cup in October in Australia and the 50-over World Cup in India next year.
“No doubt I am enjoying my form,”
top-order batsman Azam, who is ranked number one in the world in both ODI cricket and T20 internationals, said in emailed comments.
“But with this form, my prime goal is to win the two World Cups for Pakistan in the next one-and-a-half years and if that happens I will feel that my runs are worth gold.”
The man called “King” played in two Junior World Cups in 2010 and 2012, scoring the most runs for his country on both occasions, but Pakistan failed to win the titles.
They tumbled to possible heroes Australia in last year’s T20 World Cup semi-finals in the United Arab Emirates despite Azam again succeeding with the bat.
“When I started playing cricket as a schoolboy the target was to play international cricket for Pakistan, become the world’s top batsman in such a manner that it helps my team to win all the titles,”
he said.
“I was crazy about cricket in my childhood and noticing that passion my father backed me,”
recalled Azam.
“When I was a kid I used to follow AB de Villiers,”
said Azam of the South African great regarded as one of the best batters in modern cricket.
“I liked the way he used to play the ball on the up. It was delightful for me so I developed that and it helps me get even with the bowlers.”
“Nowadays international cricket is so tough and players are so skilled that if you don’t prepare well, you can’t compete.
“The first and foremost thing is that you have to have belief in yourself and with that mindset I get into the middle and bat with positive and aggressive intent.
“I always want to dominate the opponents, and that pays off.
“When you score runs, not only the world acknowledges and fans are enraptured, it also motivates the whole team and they also aim to contribute.”
“As captain, I want to take the challenge because I am at the front. If I am in front, only then my team will follow me and that is the same with run-scoring,”
he said.
“If I am scoring runs then other batters will follow and get inspired, but there is always room for improvement so I want to improve my finishing and that is important as captain.”
“It’s a great feeling playing at your home grounds and before your fans,”
said Azam.
“That gives me a double dose of energy and I aspire more and more wins for Pakistan.”