2025 ICC Champions Trophy: Babar Azam's batting position finalised by captain Mohammad Rizwan ahead of PAK vs NZ
Pakistan National Cricket Team skipper Mohammad Rizwan opened up about the batting position of Babar Azam for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. He mentioned that the batter will be opening in the tournament and he is satisfied with his batting position.
Babar Azam's batting position has been one of the most talked about things in Pakistan Cricket currently. This is because the right-hander was asked by the management to open the innings for the team in ODIs after regular opener Saim Ayub was ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Babar Azam did the opening for the Pakistan National Cricket Team on the recently concluded tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand. However, it wasn't a fruitful outing for him in the series, as he failed in all three games of the series, putting his position in talks yet again.
After Babar Azam failed in the tri-series, a lot of talks were raised over his position for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. There were reports that the team management was considering sending him back to No.3 with Saud Shakeel being promoted to open.
Babar Azam to open the innings for Pakistan in Champions Trophy - Mohammad Rizwan
But with the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy around the corner and the Pakistan National Cricket Team set to play the tournament opener, skipper Mohammad Rizwan confirmed Babar Azam's batting position. He said that the batter would continue opening as he was happy. Speaking to reporters, he said:
"Babar Azam to open the innings for Pakistan in Champions Trophy, he is satisfied with his Batting Position"
Pakistan National Cricket Team skipper Mohammad Rizwan also provided an update about Haris Rauf. The fast bowler got injured in the first game of the tri-series, and there were a lot of reports about him being ruled out.
However, Mohammad Rizwan provided a positive update, saying that Haris Rauf is 80% fit, adding that he will play a part in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. He said: "Haris Rauf is 80% fit to play. He is regularly bowling and doing gym as well."