Babar Azam has been a prolific run-scorer for the Pakistan team in the recent times and has been their middle-order mainstay.
Azam scored two consecutive centuries in the series and had 303 runs in four innings to his name. He has been a perfect resolution to Pakistan’s top order batting miseries and has helped the side in the recent run chases. Pakistan moved one step closer to a series whitewash against Sri Lanka, as they defeated them in a low scoring match.
Pakistan leads Sri Lanka 4-0 in the five-match ODI series, thanks to a brilliant partnership between Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam in the fourth ODI.
Pakistan had restricted Sri Lanka to a low total of 173 courtesy a three-wicket a haul by world’s number one bowler, Hasan Ali. Pakistan lost three early wickets in the form of Fakhar Zaman, Imamul Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. But the innings was then stabilised by Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam who were both unbeaten at 69.
This innings earned Azam praises from wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal, as he feels Azam has become everyone’s favourite. He feels Azam’s approach towards batting is “smart”, as he came back strongly with a low score in the third innings to guide his team to victory in the fourth ODI.
“Babar has always performed for the team and has been playing match-winning innings for the team in this ODI series; he scored runs when the team was in need. After scoring two centuries in the first two ODIs, he has become everyone’s favourite player in the series. You can see how good and smart Babar is after he came back from a 30-run innings in the third ODI and helped Pakistan win the fourth match with a stronger approach and a resolute presence on the pitch, Babar’s shot selection shows how confident he is and he will become one of the best batsmen for Pakistan.”
Akmal also feels that credit should also be given to Shoaib Malik for the recent success that the Pakistani team is enjoying. Malik has been playing the role of a finisher for the Pakistani team and has been quite successful in doing so.
“Malik has experience, and he knows how to pace his innings. He stayed on the crease with Babar and scored runs for the team to win their fourth consecutive ODI,”