Pakistan top-order batsman is excited about playing in his first-ever World Cup
PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan top-order batsman Babar Azam is upbeat ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.
While talking to Cricket Pakistan in an exclusive interview, the number one ranked T20 International (T20I) batsman in the world, Azam said that playing in the World Cup will be like a dream come true.
“I’m really excited as this will be my first-ever World Cup and it’s like a dream come true,” said Azam. “I’m putting in the hard yards in practice sessions, in order to be well-prepared for the event.”
Pakistan will play a one-off T20I and a five-match ODI series against England before the beginning of World Cup and this is something which Azam feel will be beneficial for the Men in Green.
“Playing a series in England, just before the World Cup, is going to help us in acclimatising with the conditions,” he said. “I will be looking to fine tune my batting skills, in the series, before the World Cup begins.”
Speaking about Indian captain Virat Kohli, Azam said: “I can’t be compared with Kohli but I’m happy that people think of me in that way. I would like to ask them to pray for me so that I can score like Kohli does for India.”
The 24-year-old also spoke about being humble, despite all the success he has achieved in his limited time as an international cricketer.
“Throughout my upbringing, I have been taught to stay humble with complete disregard for my achievements in the game,” he said.
Speaking about his strategy for facing different bowlers around the world, Azam said: “No bowler is easy to face in international cricket. Whenever we face any team, we evaluate their bowlers’ strength and weaknesses and then tackle them accordingly during the match.”
The right-handed batsman also praised the role played by Batting Coach Grant Flower in improving his batting.
“Flower has played a significant role in improving my batting. Whenever I get out early, he advises me on what I could have done different,” he said. “Also I try to work on where I went wrong by watching visuals of my batting after the match.”
