As Pakistan prepares for the crucial two-Test series against Bangladesh, all attention is on star batter Babar Azam.
This series offers Pakistan a chance to strengthen its position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings, while also providing Azam with an opportunity to make history.
The former Pakistan Test captain is poised to reach a significant milestone during the two-match series, which begins on August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second Test will be held in Karachi from August 30.
Babar Azam is set to become the fastest to score 3000 runs in the WTC
With 2,661 runs accumulated in the World Test Championship (WTC), Babar Azam is on the verge of setting a new record as the fastest batter to reach 3,000 runs in WTC history.
To achieve this remarkable milestone, Azam needs just 339 more runs in the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh. If he manages this feat, he will surpass Indian stars Virat Kohli (2,235 runs) and Rohit Sharma (2,552 runs) to become the quickest to reach 3,000 WTC runs.
Reaching this mark will also make Babar the first Pakistani batter to achieve this distinction in the WTC. He will join modern cricket legends like Joe Root, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Ben Stokes, who have already reached 3,000 runs in the WTC.
As Pakistan looks to strengthen its position for a WTC 2023-25 final spot, Babar’s performance will be closely watched. Fans are eager to see the white-ball captain return to his dominant form in this home series against Bangladesh.
Salman Butt praises Babar as the Pakistani star targets historic milestone
Salman Butt, the former Pakistan captain, has lauded Babar Azam for his outstanding form and fitness over the past two years. Butt highlighted that Azam, who leads Pakistan in white-ball formats, has consistently showcased top-level performances.
As Pakistan prepares for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, Butt has emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness, suggesting that Babar will bat at number 4 in the series. He urged the team to stay in peak condition leading up to the matches.
Butt said on his YouTube channel: “Babar Azam scored truckloads of runs in the last 2 years, he proved his fitness, he ran on the field and scored runs while batting first as well as second innings. Things should go up but they are getting broken in the middle, which is wrong. So, this is the responsibility of the players to maintain their fitness.”
