Pakistan’s newly appointed limited-overs captain Babar Azam on Monday (May 18) revealed that he wants to be an attacking captain like 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, saying he would like to follow the latter’s style of captaincy.
Apart from cricket, the star batsman is also brushing up his English to become a "complete leader" like the legendary all-rounder Imran as a complete captain must be able to interact comfortably and express himself properly in front of media and audience.
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As per ESPNcricinfo, Babar stated: “I would like to go with what I have learnt that is attacking. So, I would like to follow Imran Khan's style of captaincy. He was a very aggressive captain and I want to be like him. As captain, you have to learn to be cool. You have to take players with you as well as planning with them against other teams. It is not an easy job captaining the Pakistan team but I am learning from my seniors and I have also had captaincy experience since my under-19 days.”
On his English, the prolific and stylish batsman said: “These days I am also taking English classes besides focusing on my batting.” He wasn’t also happy with Pakistan’s current standing at world cricket. He added, “I am not happy with where we stand and I want to see this team go up in the rankings.”
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old admitted that captaincy would be a challenge for him but it is not a burden for him and that “honor” would not affect his batting.
He further said, “It's a challenge and you always have to get ready to take up the challenge. It was written in my destiny and it did come to me. It is an honor to lead one's national team so it is not a burden for me at all. In fact, after becoming captain, I have to lead by example and be more responsible in my batting.”
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Babar is also eager to captain Pakistan in the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia, hoping the showpiece event would be happening this year amid the COVID-19 crisis.
The new white-ball captain added, “It would be a disappointment if the event was not held or rescheduled because I am looking forward to playing in the World Cup and doing well in it.”
On Pakistan’s tour to England in July to play 3 Tests and 3 T20Is amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Babar said: “Touring England won't be easy. Health and safety of players are of great importance and the tour will only be possible when proper arrangements are in place.”
He signed off by saying, “Both England and Pakistan team fans, along with the cricketers, are missing cricket because of the pandemic. We will still try to perform to the best of our ability despite no support from the fans in the stadium.”
(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)
