I want to reach a stage where other batsmen are compared to me and not me being compared to others: Babar Azam

Since his debut in 2015 against Zimbabwe, Pakistan’s current captain Babar Azam has solidified his position as one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era. The right-hander is often hailed with the likes of Fab-4 of cricket which includes Indian skipper Virat Kohli, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, England’s Test skipper Joe Root and Australia’s swashbuckling batsman Steve Smith.

Though Babar feels proud to be in the same league as aforementioned cricketers, he aspires to be at such heights where other batsmen are compared to him and not the other way around. Pakistan skipper wishes to win matches for his team and be consistent in every condition just like the Fab-4.

“I feel proud to be compared with these top batsmen and to be ranked in the top five of the world. But my dream is that one day I also reach a stage where other batsmen are compared to me and not me being compared to others,” Babar said in an interview to a YouTube channel.

“I know that I also have to perform like them in every condition and compete with them. I also want to perform like them and win matches for the team like they do.” he added.

PCB has told Babar Azam to play fearlessly and not worry about losing matches

The 26-year-old feels that playing on the overseas pitches has always been a challenge and scoring runs in England, Australia and South Africa gives immense satisfaction as that acts as a barometer to measure your batting talent. The Men in Green are scheduled to play a T20I and Test series on the New Zealand soil in December. Speaking about the same, Babar Azam revealed that he is quite excited to get on the field and score runs for his team.

“When you get runs in places like Australia, England, South Africa it gives you satisfaction and people sit up and take notice of you. New Zealand will be a tough series but I have psyched myself to continue my runs in the two tests and three T20 matches.

“In England we did well and gave them a tough time so I am optimistic we can do well. Conditions in New Zealand are different and we have to adjust to those conditions. Good we are going there early so that it gives us more time to get used to their conditions,” he further said.

Babar Azam was recently named as the Test captain of Pakistan cricket team. When asked about this new responsibility, the batsman reckoned that the cricket board had already given him hints regarding captaining the team in all the three formats of the game and has backed him to play his natural game without fearing for results.

“The board had indicated to me they were considering me Test captain when they made me white ball captain last year. They have told me to play fearlessly and not worry about losing matches. They will support me. They have told me I am there as captain for a long time.” Babar Azam concluded.