Pakistan's captain, Mohammad Rizwan, announced on Tuesday that Babar Azam will maintain his position as the opening batsman for the forthcoming Champions Trophy. The tournament, featuring eight teams, is set to commence on Wednesday with the inaugural match between the host nation, Pakistan, and New Zealand in Karachi. Babar recently took on the opening role during the Tri-Series against New Zealand and South Africa, although he struggled to make significant contributions with the bat.

In the Tri-Series, Babar Azam recorded scores of 10, 23, and 29. He has faced challenges in accumulating runs, remaining on 19 ODI centuries since August 2023.

Babar's most recent ODI century was achieved in August 2023 against Nepal. Rizwan affirmed that Babar is at ease with his new batting role and will continue to open for the Champions Trophy, which is making a return after nearly eight years.

"We have various options, but considering the team composition, Babar will persist as our opener in the Champions Trophy. He is content with his batting position. While we aim to include genuine openers, given the home conditions, we prefer a left-right batting combination. Therefore, we have opted for Babar Azam as an opener due to his technical proficiency," Rizwan stated to the media prior to the opening match against New Zealand.

With this confirmation, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are poised to open the innings for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. During the pre-match press conference, Rizwan emphasized that the focus extends beyond just Babar and himself, highlighting the importance of a collective team effort throughout the tournament.

"It is not solely about me and Babar Azam. Every player is training diligently and striving to secure the Champions Trophy. We are focused on managing what is within our control," Rizwan remarked.

Additionally, Mohammad Rizwan confirmed that fast bowler Haris Rauf is fit and anticipated to participate in the match against New Zealand on Wednesday.

'We suffered for 10 years'

An ICC event is set to take place in Pakistan for the first time in 29 years. Following the Lahore terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, no international team visited Pakistan for a decade, not even for bilateral series. Gradually, cricket began to make a comeback in the country, and now Pakistan is poised to host an ICC event.

Nevertheless, India will not be participating in this event, as the government has denied permission for the team to travel. Consequently, Rohit Sharma and his teammates will conduct their matches in Dubai.

"We endured a decade of isolation. No team toured Pakistan during that time, yet our team consistently performed admirably. There should be no question regarding the quality or talent of our players. While we may face setbacks on any given day, we are committed to giving our best and excelling in the tournament," Rizwan stated.

Rizwan concluded the discussion by emphasizing his aspiration for his team to function cohesively and deliver a comprehensive performance.

"As a captain, there is no greater satisfaction than achieving victory through a collective team effort. However, in recent matches, our successes have often relied on individual performances. Our current focus is on all 15 members of the squad; each one is a leader in their own right. I merely represent the team in front of the media or during the toss," he remarked.

Read Also: Champions Trophy Spectacle: India-Pakistan Rivalry Returns, Afghanistan Hunts Australian Payback – 5 Matches to Watch

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