Should Babar Azam Open in ODIs?
News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam’s recent underwhelming performances have ignited discussions regarding his role as an opener for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9.
Interim head coach Aqib Javed defended the management’s decision to promote Babar to the opening slot during a post-match press conference following Pakistan’s five-wicket loss to New Zealand in the tri-nation ODI series final on Friday.
Javed justified the move, stating that Babar’s batting at the top order was a strategic decision aimed at maximizing the powerplay. “Our rationale behind the change was that if you look at the away series against South Africa, the right-hand batter had to bat in the first over in all games.
Then Saim got injured, and he had to open in Tests too. These pitches are not troubling the batters at the start; we wanted our best batter to make good use of the powerplay, which suits us more,” Javed explained.
“So, I think, in these conditions, Babar should open, and I am hopeful that he will play big innings in important matches,” he added.
Despite Pakistan securing only one victory in the tri-nation ODI series, Javed remained optimistic about the squad’s potential to excel in the upcoming Champions Trophy, asserting that the team has all the necessary elements for success.
However, several former cricketers have criticized Babar’s elevation to the opening position, particularly in light of his recent struggles. In the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand, Babar managed only modest scores of 10 (23), 23 (19), and 29 (34), raising concerns over his adaptability to the role.
Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir expressed disapproval, arguing that Babar is more effective at No. 3, where he can anchor the innings.
“As I have said before, if I don’t get to bowl with the new ball, I won’t be able to utilize my strength. Similarly, Babar’s strength is at No. 3, where he knows how to construct an innings. The role of an opener in T20s is different from that in ODIs and Tests,” Amir said in a recent interview.
“He has to do it in phases. In the first 10 overs, I have to take a chance. In the next 10 overs, I have to build a partnership. The role is different. Babar, yes, he’s a big player. But I think he should have played at number 3. This is his strength. Yes, when you’re stuck, you try different things,” he added.
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Babar should revert to his preferred No. 3 position, while alternative options such as Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, or Shan Masood should be considered to open alongside Fakhar Zaman.
“Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq or Abdullah Shafique, take any one as opener & let Babar Azam play at no. 3 in Champions Trophy. Make things easier for everyone,” Hafeez posted on X.
Adding to the debate, former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs, who previously worked with Babar as head coach of Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), took a swipe at the star batter’s English proficiency while responding to a fan on social media.
When a fan asked Gibbs to advise Babar on overcoming his batting struggles, the former cricketer claimed that language was a barrier to communication. “Language is an issue with Babar… as you know, his English isn’t great, so it’s difficult to get points across to him,” Gibbs wrote on X.
Gibbs further remarked that Babar’s batting approach has remained static since his stint with Karachi Kings, despite his evolving role in international cricket. “It was the first time I worked with him, so for me, it was more of an observation than anything else.
But what I’ve seen since then is that he hasn’t changed his approach—he still plays with the same tempo and the same shots,” he added.
Statistically, Babar has excelled at the No. 3 position in ODIs, where he has amassed 5,416 runs in 104 matches at an impressive average of 60.17 and a strike rate of 88.33, including 29 half-centuries and 19 centuries.
With Pakistan’s batting strategy under scrutiny, the debate over Babar’s role at the top order continues, leaving the team management with a critical decision ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.
