Former Pakistan captain and coach Mohammad Hafeez has weighed in on Babar Azam’s ongoing struggles with the bat. The former international has advised the once-prolific scorer to give up his opening spot ahead of the highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 to a more familiar player, urging the team management to reinstate the star batter at No. 3.
Babar Azam, typically Pakistan’s ODI batting anchor at No. 3, was promoted to the opening slot in the ongoing tri-nation series following an injury to Saim Ayub. However, the move has not yielded the desired results, with Babar managing scores of just 10, 23, and 29 in his three innings.
His latest early dismissal in the PAK vs NZ tri-series final has further fueled the debate on his ideal position in the lineup. While he has played the same role in Pakistan’s T20 squad, ODI cricket presents a host of other challenges, with Babar failing to meet them during his lean phase with the bat.
Taking to social media, Mohammad Hafeez suggested that Pakistan should revert to its proven formula, with Babar Azam returning to No. 3 while one of Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, or Abdullah Shafique partners Fakhar Zaman at the top. “Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, or Abdullah Shafique—take any one as an opener and let Babar Azam play at No. 3 in the Champions Trophy. Make things easier for everyone,” Hafeez posted on X.
Hafeez’s words hold merit. Babar Azam has established himself as one of the world’s most consistent performers at one-down, amassing 5,416 runs in 104 ODIs at an impressive average of 60.17, with 19 centuries and 29 fifties to his name.
This will also give Pakistan stability in that role, as Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel have yielded to the pressures of the spot in place of Babar. Meanwhile, Babar has now opened the batting five times for Pakistan, scoring just 88 runs with an average of 17.6 and a high score of just 29.
With the Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, Pakistan’s batting strategy will be crucial, and Hafeez’s recommendation could spark a rethink within the team management. However, if Pakistan is to introduce any changes after the ICC’s deadline, it would have to be through an injury replacement.
As the tournament countdown reaches its final stages, all eyes will be on Pakistan and the myriad of questions surrounding the team as they look to defend their crown at home.
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Azam should bat at number 4. He can’t handle pressure and he has lost his edge. In major tournaments his mind goes blank.