Coach backs Babar Azam as opener for Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan’s interim head coach Aqib Javed has strongly endorsed the decision to promote Babar Azam as an opener, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Speaking at the post-match press conference following Pakistan’s five-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the tri-nation ODI series final, he reaffirmed his support for the star batter ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. 

"Our rationale behind the change was that if you look at the away series against South Africa, Babar Azam had to bat in the first over in all games.

 Then Saim [Ayub] got injured, and he had to open in Tests too. These pitches are not troubling the batters at the start, so we wanted our best batter to make good use of the powerplay, which suits us more," explained Javed.

The head coach remained optimistic about Babar’s ability to thrive in the new role, particularly in high-stakes matches. "I think, in these conditions, Babar should open, and I am hopeful that he will play a big innings in important matches," he added.

Supporting the efficiency of the national boys, he said "This team will do great in the Champions Trophy. If this team bats normally and down till number eight, you can score 350. 

If Haris Rauf gets fit and finds form alongside Naseem [Shah] and Shaheen [Afridi], as well as our spinners, this lineup has everything it needs to defeat any team," Javed claimed.

 He also justified the inclusion of all-rounders Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf, stressing the importance of balance in a major tournament. "We had to have a spin all-rounder and a pace all-rounder; that is why Khushdil and Faheem are in the team. There should be variety when you are playing tournaments," he stated.

 He further admitted that Pakistan had fallen short of a defendable total after choosing to bat first. "We saw the pitch in the morning and knew from that time that this wasn’t a high-scoring surface. 

A total of 270-280 would’ve been a good one. That’s why we decided to bat first and try to post that kind of total to put them under pressure. We ended up posting around 240, and then, if their batters can manage a quiet period or two, it doesn’t matter," he remarked.