Is Babar Azam as an Opener a Good Idea?
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, Pakistan’s team management has made a surprising decision to promote Babar Azam to open the batting in a home tri-series against New Zealand. This move has raised concerns, with former cricketer Kamran Akmal criticizing the strategy, calling it a disruption to the team’s balance.
Babar, a consistent performer at No. 3, struggled in his new role, scoring only 10 runs off 23 balls in the first ODI against New Zealand. His slow innings contributed to Pakistan’s 78-run defeat while chasing 331 runs. The decision to experiment with his batting position just before a major tournament has put the team’s strategy under scrutiny.
How Has Babar Performed as an Opener?
The decision to push Babar to the top order is not new, but his past performances as an opener do not inspire confidence. His last stint as an opener was in 2015 against England, where he scored 4 and 22 in two innings. His overall stats as an opener remain poor:
- Matches Played: 3
- Runs Scored: 36
- Batting Average: 12
- Strike Rate: 61
In contrast, his record at No. 3 is exceptional, with 5,416 runs in 104 innings at an average of 60.17. These statistics highlight the risk of moving him up the order.
Who Should Open for Pakistan?
With Saim Ayub injured, Pakistan is struggling to find a reliable opening partner for Fakhar Zaman. The management now faces a crucial decision on how to stabilize the top order. Some possible solutions include:
- Reverting Babar Azam to No. 3, where he has performed best.
- Trying Abdullah Shafique or another young batter as an opener.
- Continuing with Babar as an opener, allowing him more time to adapt.
Why This Decision Matters for Champions Trophy 2025
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is an important event, and Pakistan must finalize its batting lineup soon. The opening combination remains a key concern. If Babar continues to struggle at the top, it could weaken the middle order, putting additional pressure on other key players.
With limited matches before the tournament, Pakistan’s management must make a firm decision. The upcoming games will determine whether Babar should continue opening or return to his most successful position at No. 3.