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Mohammad Amir feels that Pakistan should play Babar Azam to his strengths and bat at number three instead of opening the batting.
Babar Azam managed 62 runs in three innings of the recent ODI Tri-Series as opener. (AP Photo)
The former Pakistan cricketer, Mohammad Amir reckons that Pakistan should play Babar Azam at the number three position instead of an opener in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. The former pacer suggested that the number three role is vastly different to opening the batting and the defending champions should play their best player to his strengths.
In an interaction with Geo Super TV, Amir talked about the importance of playing someone to their strengths. He made a comparison to himself and how he needed to have the new ball. Similarly, he feels that Babar has the qualities of a number three batter, which is his best position according to him.
“Let me tell you this, when it comes to me, my strength is bowling with the new ball and if you don’t do that with me then I have no usage. I have to play to my strengths. When it comes to Babar Azam, his strength is the number three spot. He knows how to build the innings from this position,” he shared.
“In T20 cricket it may work but an opener’s role is different in ODI and Test cricket. It has to be played in stages where you decide you take chances in one set of 10 overs, build a partnership in the next 10 and so on. The role is so different. Babar is a big player but I think he should be played at 3,” he added.
Pakistan have been desperate to try and get their star player back to his best run-scoring form. They opted to send Babar out to open in the recently-concluded ODI tri-series which saw the hosts being defeated by New Zealand in the final.
With the Champions Trophy 2025 coming up, Pakistan would want their star player to be in his best form as the title-holders hope to defend their crown and also impress in their first ICC tournament as hosts since 1996.
Pakistan will begin their campaign with the group-stage matches against New Zealand on February 19 (Wednesday), India on February 23 (Sunday) and Bangladesh on February 27 (Thursday) respectively. All of the games involving India will be played in Dubai.