On this day: Watch Babar Azam’s fifty on international debut
He was handed Pakistan’s cap in ODI match against Zimbabwe in 2015
Pakistan captain and star batter Babar Azam made his international debut on this day, May 31, in 2015 against Zimbabwe during an ODI match in Lahore.
Azam scored 54 runs in 60 balls, with the help of four boundaries, in his first international appearance.
Since making his debut, Azam has featured in 47 Tests, 100 ODIs and 104 T20Is over the course of his career while accumulating over 12,000 runs.
Earlier it was reported that Azam, one of Pakistan's most successful captains, will lead the national team till the 2023 World Cup to be held in India in October.
Though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to make the official announcement, ‘The News’ has learned from well-informed sources that the Board's think-tank comprising chairman Management Committee Najam Sethi, chief selector Haroon Rashid and Director Coaching Mickey Arthur have unanimously decided to repose trust in Babar as the captain of the team till 2023 World Cup. Besides leading the team in the World Cup, he will also be seen captaining the team in all series and events in the run-up to the mega event.
These include the two Test match series against Sri Lanka, three-match ODI series against Afghanistan and Asia Cup to be hosted by Pakistan in September.
“Following a series of meetings over the last few weeks that also included online meetings and during the mid-April meeting when Arthur was here, the troika has decided to continue with Babar as the team captain till the World Cup. It is believed that since there was no potential candidate who can come even closer to his abilities as a cricketer and captain, the best and most sane approach is to continue with Babar as the captain till the ODI World Cup 2023,” the source confirmed to The News.
It is believed that Babar has already been taken in confidence over the decision.
“This has been primarily to seek his help and guidance when it comes to selecting team members for coming series including the Asia Cup and later for the World Cup. It is like a decision (stitch) in time saves the nine scenario. Since Pakistan will host the Asia Cup and World Cup is also scheduled in the sub-continent, a timely decision always benefits in preparing well in time,” the source added.
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