“The most crucial bit in leading a team is to provide clarity to each and every player and have honest and open communication with the players. This breeds positivity in the team environment and brings everyone together as a team.” Pakistan captain Babar Azam
A day after breaking the record for the fastest to 5000 ODI runs, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has revealed his next career goal ahead of their fifth and final ODI against New Zealand in Karachi today.
Babar, who will play his 100th ODI on Sunday when Pakistan aim to clean sweep New Zealand to stay atop the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, said he wishes to help Pakistan win a World Cup.
“Being the captain of a World Cup-winning side would be sweet,” Babar said when he spoke to PCB Digital.
The number one ODI batter will have a chance to achieve his dream when he will be leading the side to the upcoming ODI World Cup in October-November in India. If he succeeds, he will emulate the great Imran Khan, who led Pakistan to their only ODI World Cup in 1992 in England.
When it comes to World Cups, Babar boasts an impressive record. The 28-year-old has led Pakistan to two T20 World Cups — in 2021 in the UAE and in 2022 in Australia.
Under his captaincy, Pakistan, at their 13th attempt, recorded their first-ever win over arch-rivals India in World Cups in 2021 T20 World Cup. Babar hit an unbeaten fifty to thump Virat Kohli-led India by 10 wickets in Dubai. Babar then led his side to the final of the marquee T20 event in Melbourne the following year.
After Pakistan endured a dismal campaign in the 2019 50-over World Cup in England under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Babar was elevated to captaincy, and his numbers took an instant spike as he enjoyed the additional responsibility. In ODIs, he averages over 75 as captain (after 4th ODI against New Zealand) and has seven tons in 25 matches.
All three of his T20I tons also came as skipper of the side. In Tests, the difference was profound with his average going over 50 as captain.
“The first year was a little overwhelming as there were a lot of things to deal with simultaneously as a Pakistan captain,” Babar spoke of taking on captaincy.
“But, I learned how to manage that. I also learned a lot from how Saifi bhai [Sarfaraz Ahmed] managed the team. I used to see his demeanour on and off the field and used to ask him questions that helped me.
“The most crucial bit in leading a team is to provide clarity to each and every player and have honest and open communication with the players. This breeds positivity in the team environment and brings everyone together as a team.
“As a captain, you have a kind of a dual responsibility because as a non-captain, you only focus on your field and batting, but now you also have to run a team. I enjoy taking responsibility and it brings the best out of me.”
