WEB DESK: Babar Azam, the top-ranked batsman in the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Rankings for Batsmen, believes he still has a lot to look forward to, especially in the longest format.
“I definitely feel like there is more to come from me in first-class and Test cricket,” Babar said in an interview published by the Somerset website. “I have done okay in the white-ball game recently, but I really want to prove myself in Test cricket, so I will be doing my best to achieve my goals in this format.”
Having signed up for Somerset in May, Babar’s blazing white-ball form has placed him atop the charts in the ongoing T20 Blast, where he averages 62, garnering 434 runs in nine games.
He slammed a T20 century just last week, carrying his bat in a 55-ball 110* against Hampshire. In the previous game against the same opposition, he had scored an unbeaten 95.
He now wants to replicate the success in the red-ball game, expressing his wish to represent Somerset in the County Championship as well.
“I’m really looking forward to playing a County Championship match for Somerset at Edgbaston. Hopefully, I can score a few runs and help Somerset win the match. I know the club are close to winning that first title, so fingers crossed I can play a small part in this.”
Averaging over 50 in both ODIs and T20Is, Babar has had a relatively sedate start to his Test career, with an average of 35 after 21 games. With his eyes now set on clinching bigger honours in red-ball cricket, Babar, only 24, is on his way to being the unmistakable face of Pakistan’s batting future.
“I really want to aim as high as I can throughout the rest of my career, and perform to the best of my ability for Pakistan over a long period of time,” he said. “I love playing cricket. I want to enjoy my career and play with a smile on my face.”
