Babar to Open in Upcoming Tri-Series and Champions Trophy

News Desk

Karachi: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam is set to open the innings alongside Fakhar Zaman in the upcoming tri-series ODIs and the 2025 Champions Trophy, according to sources.

Babar, who has mainly batted at number three, will now take on the opening role, similar to Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar, who initially batted in the middle order, made the switch to opening in 1994-95 and thrived in the position.

Sources confirmed that Pakistan’s head coach Aqib Javed, batting coach Shahid Aslam, and captain Mohammad Rizwan persuaded Babar to embrace the opening role in both Tests and ODIs. The team management believes he can emulate Tendulkar’s success as an opener for Pakistan.

Babar recently opened in the second Test against South Africa after regular opener Saim Ayub was injured. Partnering with Shan Masood, he scored a half-century.

However, in ODIs, Babar has only opened twice before, back in 2015, after which he settled into the number three and four spots. In T20Is, he was a regular opener for over two years alongside Rizwan, but the pair was split due to strike rate concerns.

Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad currently includes just one regular opener, Fakhar Zaman. Selector Asad Shafiq revealed that both Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam are being considered as opening options, with a final decision expected before the tournament.

Saud, who opened in PSL 9 for Quetta Gladiators, has traditionally batted in the middle order at number five or six, with experts noting the differences between T20 and 50-over formats.