'Babar's strength is number 3' - Mohammad Amir dissatisfied with former skipper being made to open innings in ODIs

Pakistan announced the Champions Trophy 2025 squad and along with that, the Pakistan Cricket Board also hinted at Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman as the new potential opening pair. The same is evident in the ongoing Tri-Nation series as the duo has started opening for the team. But with the opener’s role, Babar has looked jittery and failed to come among runs. 

The decision was forced in the wake of Pakistan’s premier opener, Saim Ayub’s injury. With him being ruled out of the tournament, former Pakistan skipper has stepped up to fill in the crucial responsibility. But, former Pakistan pacer, Mohammad Amir has shown remorse over PCB’s move and alleged them of stripping off Babar from his strong batting position, the number three spot. 

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"As I told you, my strength is that if I don't get to bowl with a new ball, I won't be able to use it because it's my strength, a new ball. And I should be picked with my strength. Babar's strength is number 3. He knows how to build innings from there. The opener's role is different in T20. In One-Day and Test, the role is different,” Amir was quoted as saying on a news channel.

"He has to do it in phases. In 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. Maybe I should take runs from here or there,” he added. 

Babar has opened in five innings in ODIs and has scored 88 runs at an average of 17.60 and a highest score of just 29 runs, which came in the final of the ongoing Tri-Nation series against New Zealand in Karachi.