Carey heaps praise on ‘classy’ Babar

Australia wicketkeeper-batsman and vice-captain Alex Carey heaped praise on Pakistan’s Twenty20 International (T20I) captain, Babar Azam, after his impressive half-century in the first of three-match series in Sydney on Sunday.

The world's top-ranked Twenty20 batsman led from the front, stroking a classy unbeaten 59 after they were sent into bat, with the 25-year-old smacking five fours and two sixes in his 38-ball knock.

“Hopefully we can get him [Babar Azam] out early but he has shown why he is the number one in the world in this format for a reason and again today he was really classy for them” said Carey in a press conference after the match.

The 28-year-old also backed the team’s bowling attack to effectively counter the threat posed by Babar in the upcoming matches.    

“It would be nice to get into their middle-order early and Starc and Richo [Kane Richardson] have the weapons to do that,” he said. “Conditions in Canberra can be different and the same for Perth. So we are excited for the next two games ahead and hopefully we don’t have to worry about one player in particular.”

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With Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins leading the bowling attack, Australia's pacers have conceded less than 7.5 runs an over in the first four games, three against Sri Lanka and one against Pakistan, of the home summer.

"It's nice to have Mitchell Starc running in with the new ball and then at the death with the spinners through the middle," he said. "Richardson has been fantastic with the new ball and at the death again and Pat Cummins, wherever you need him.”

“It's a really well-balanced squad at the moment. It's nice to have a very role-specific side together. Players are feeling really confident in their roles and executing their roles," he added.

The first of three T20Is between Australia and Pakistan on Sunday in Sydney was abandoned due to rain, with no result declared. The series moves to Canberra on Tuesday and a final game in Perth on Friday.