I am feeling pretty good, says Babar Azam ahead of World Cup 2019
"I am feeling pretty good and I aim to continue with the form," Babar said.
Babar Azam’s performance in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 will be crucial to Pakistan’s chances, the right-handed batsman has been Pakistan’s most consistent batsman in the ODIs for quite some time now. In a career that began just three years ago, Azam has already made huge strides and has left a big mark in international cricket.
He is currently the top-ranked T20I batsman and averages over 50 in T20Is as well T20Is. In fact, he is fast becoming Pakistan’s batting mainstay in Tests too. Since the start of 2018, Babar is the highest run-getter for Pakistan in Tests, having scored 760 runs at an average of 50.66.
No surprises then that all eyes will be on him when Pakistan take the field in the upcoming World Cup. And the start has been very promising. Azam is in top form in the ongoing warmup games against county teams ahead of the T20I and ODI series against England before the World Cup starts. After scoring 9 in the first warmup game, he scored 68 not out against Northamptonshire in a List A game.
He then backed it up with a stunning century against Leicester in a T20 on Wednesday. It was Azam’s first T20 ton as Pakistan routed the opposition by 58 runs after scoring 200. The 101-run knock came off 63 balls and was studded with 13 fours and a couple of sixes. And as the World Cup is inching closer, Azam has said he is ‘pretty confident’ for the upcoming matches.
“I am feeling pretty good and I aim to continue with the form,” said Azam after the win over Leicestershire.
Azam on benefits or arriving early:
Pakistan have over a month time to prepare for the World Cup and Babar said that arriving early in England has helped the players get accustomed to the conditions.
“Arriving early [in England] helped a lot as we get to know about the conditions, how to bat and make plans… I am pretty confident, our side too has gelled well as every player is in form and is performing well.”
Pakistan and England will play the one-off T20I on May 5 before the ODIs get underway on May 8. The World Cup will start on May 30 while the Men in Green open their campaign against West Indies on May 31.
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