Babar Azam dismisses criticism over batting position flexibility, says ‘Nobody has shuffled as much as me’
Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal recently explained the team’s decision to release Babar Azam in 2023. He stated that the franchise’s strategy relied heavily on strong opening batsmen, and they requested Babar bat at number three. However, Babar preferred to open, leading to a restructuring of the team.
During a Pakistan Super League practice session with Peshawar Zalmi, former Pakistan cricket captain addressed criticisms regarding his perceived inflexibility and inability to adjust to team needs.
“As much as I have shuffled my number, no one else has done,” he claimed. “Whoever has come in, Babar changed his number, Babar played below. When someone new came down the order, Babar went back to the top. For me, Pakistan comes first. Pakistan first, after that the franchise. When it was the franchise’s demand, I opened. Whatever Pakistan demands, I do. There is no personal goal for me here.
“It’s not that I say I want to bat at a particular number or otherwise I won’t play. Whatever the demand of the team is, that matters for me. As I said before, no one would have shuffled as much as me. I have also opened in Tests, you know? I have opened everywhere. I started at No.6, then from No.6 to No.3 then to No.2, No.1.
“So I have played at every number and come this far [in my career]. It has never mattered to me, that batting at a different number makes a difference to my performances. Whatever the team requires, I am always available.”
Babar Azam consistently opened for Peshawar Zalmi throughout his 28 PSL innings since joining the team. Prior to this, he played for Karachi Kings, batting primarily at the top of the order between 2019 and 2022, though he had previously occupied the number three and four positions in a few instances in 2018.
Babar Azam’s batting positions across different cricket formats show significant consistency. He’s demonstrated versatility in Test matches, batting in every position from opener to number seven. However, he predominantly opens in T20 Internationals (87 of 121 innings) and bats at number three in One Day Internationals (107 of 128 innings).
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