LAHORE: Captain Babar Azam and vice-captain Shadab Khan, who will likely be within the management position for the primary time within the ODI format, have vowed to play an aggressive model of cricket once they begin their stints with Pakistan’s first ODI towards Zimbabwe on the Pindi Cricket Stadium subsequent Friday.
The three-match ODI sequence is a part of the ICC World Cup Tremendous League and acts as qualification spherical for the 2023 ICC World Cup. The second match will likely be performed on Nov 1 with the third and last match takes place on Nov 3.
Babar, extensively considered Pakistan’s greatest all-format participant, is the one batsman on the planet to characteristic within the high 5 of ICCs rankings for batsmen throughout the three codecs. Babar averages 54.17 within the ODIs having donned the Pakistan colors 74 occasions. His tally contains 11 centuries and 15 half-centuries.
“To keep up with the modern-day requirements of fast-paced cricket we need to be super fit. As the leaders of the group, both Shadab and I need to set an example with our fitness and commitment. We have a lot of cricket lined up and the only method for us to regain our spot at the top of the rankings is aggressive and fearless cricket,” Babar mentioned on Saturday.
“We need to work on overall improvement in all three formats. We are looking forward to starting the journey on a positive note with the series against Zimbabwe; it is an opportunity for us to please our fans who would not be able to watch us from the stands due to the Covid-19-related challenges. We can, however, bring them joy by doing well in the series and by giving performances that please them,” the skipper added.
“My request to fans is that we need their support just the way they supported us during the England tour and the National T20 Cup, which provided rich entertainment in a highly competitive environment.” Giving his views, Shadab mentioned: “We received’t be taking Zimbabwe calmly in any respect. We’re absolutely targeted on the job at hand and through the season we’re very eager on bettering each our recreation and health.
“Many players discuss fitness and how to improve in that area which is a positive sign indeed. For us each and every point in the ICC World Cup Super League matters. A convincing victory against Zimbabwe will hold us in good stead when we depart for the tour of New Zealand,” the leg-spinner added.
“We had an excellent build-up to the Zimbabwe series with the National T20 Cup. The tournament was highly competitive. Such tournaments will help narrow the gap between domestic and international levels. The revamped domestic system surely provides that opportunity to the players,” the vice-captain mentioned.
Printed in Daybreak, October 25th, 2020
