"Babar Azam disputes accusations of rigid batting spot stance"
Sparky's Scoop: Babar Azam Sets the Record Straight
Pakistan all-rounder Babar Azam has hit back at accusations of inflexibility regarding his batting position, claiming he's more adaptable than any other player out there.
In a recent podcast appearance, Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal spilled the beans on why Babar was let go during the 2023 season, “When we relied heavily on our openers, we asked Babar Azam to bat at number three. However, he insisted on opening, given his established position there. Uncomfortable batting in the middle order, the management eventually decided to overhaul things.”
During a practice session with Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing PSL, Babar was confronted about the common perception of him refusing to adapt for the team's benefit.
“I've shuffled my position more than anyone else” - Babar Azam
"I've been swapping my position more than anyone else," he asserted. "Whenever someone new comes into the lineup, I adjust. When someone requests a spot below me, I'll move up. My priority is always Pakistan. I'll bat where the team needs me to. For franchise games, I'll open, but for my country, I'll play wherever required."
"No one's been as flexible as me," he added. "I've opened in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Started at No.6, then moved to No.3, No.2, No.1 – I've batted at every slot. And while it doesn't affect my performance, I am always ready to change."
How much has Babar Azam's batting position changed?
During his time with Karachi Kings, Babar batted at No.3 and No.4 on 12 occasions, with his last such innings in 2018. Since then, he has exclusively opened in PSL matches, all 28 innings for Peshawar Zalmi being at the top of the order.
In Test cricket, he has batted at every position from opening to No.7. In T20Is, he has opened in 87 out of 121 innings, and in ODIs, he has batted at No.3 in 107 out of 128 matches.
The Incident with Karachi Kings
Babar's insistence on opening led to a rift with the management of Karachi Kings, resulting in his release before the 2023 season. After signing with Peshawar Zalmi, he has been a consistent opener in recent PSL seasons.
While his international career has mostly seen him bat in the top order, the PSL has brought about more significant discussions and changes regarding his batting position, particularly when asked to shift from opening to the number three spot.
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Related Tags: Babar Azam, Batting position changes, Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi, PSL controversy, International cricket, Flexibility in batting
- In a recent interview, Babar Azam, Pakistan's all-rounder, emphasized his adaptability in batting positions, stating, "I've been swapping my position more than anyone else."
- During his time with Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL, Babar Azam has remained a consistent opener, contrasting with his experience with Karachi Kings where he batted at numbers three and four on 12 occasions.
- Despite some controversies regarding his batting position changes in the past, such as the incident with Karachi Kings that led to his release, Babar Azam's flexibility is evident as he's batted at every slot in Test, T20I, and ODI cricket.
