Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has dismissed the "king” label, urging fans to stop calling him with that title as he is yet to reach there.
"Firstly, stop calling me a king. I’m not a king yet. Let’s see what people call me when I retire,” he said in an informal press talk after Pakistan’s six-wicket victory over South Africa in Karachi.
Babar reflected on his performance, stressing the need to stay focused. “I think about the good innings I have played, and I try to move forward from tough phases. No matter how well I have performed in the past, every upcoming match is a new challenge for me. I must forget the past and focus on the present.”
He also acknowledged Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan’s match-winning partnership, which helped Pakistan chase a record 353-run target.
“Salman and Rizwan’s innings were outstanding, today. They had a 250-run partnership, and the mindset and planning they showed were vital. What they did there under pressure was outstanding.”
Speaking about his new role as an opener, Babar explained that he had taken on the responsibility as per the team’s needs.
“The role I’ve been given is to execute my game. I know Fakhar can change the game. My role is to rotate the strike, utilize the ball in my area, and build a partnership so it’s easier for the new batter.”
When asked about handling pressure due to criticism, he remained unfazed. “After so many years, I don’t let these things affect me. What matters is that my performance helps the team win. There’s pressure in any job; you need to know how to handle it. I try to keep myself calm and believe in my game. I have faith in my team, and they have faith in me.”
With Pakistan’s recent victory boosting the morale of the team ahead of the Champions Trophy, Babar expressed excitement about the tournament being held at home.
“There is excitement when you play at home, and with an ICC tournament coming to Pakistan, the country has been waiting for this moment. Especially for the youngsters, watching these teams play will boost their confidence, and Pakistan will also gain talent. The win against South Africa has given us a lot of confidence, and we’ll try to continue that and learn from any mistakes.”
