All eyes will be on Babar Azam during England T20Is: Kris Srikkanth

Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth believes all eyes will be on Pakistan’s Twenty20 International (T20I) captain Babar Azam during the three-match series between the Men in Green and England, starting from Friday at Old Trafford, Manchester.

The world number one T20 batsman will return to the venue where he received his T20I cap. Babar Azam made his T20I debut in Pakistan’s nine wickets win against England at Old Trafford four years ago. He has loved playing in England since then.

With 578 runs for Somerset, the Lahore-born batsman was the top run-getter in the T20 Blast, England’s domestic 20-over competition, last year. Of his three centuries in T20 cricket, two have come in England.

"For Pakistan there is an opportunity to try out their young guns and move closer to building a team they can be proud of. All eyes will be on Babar Azam as he tries to become the most complete all-format batsman from Pakistan," Srikkanth wrote in his column at Times of India. "They have good blend of youth and experience and should try harder to bring some consistency to their cricket."

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The former Indian cricketer added that the hosts will start as favourites for the series, but they need to be wary of the unpredictable Men in Green.

"In knowing the conditions better and packing more power hitters, England will definitely start as favourites but with Pakistan around, one can never be sure. It promises to be an exciting series. For the hosts, the series will throw a slightly different kind of a challenge," he added.