Pakistan have the momentum to win remaining games, says Babar Azam

 

BIRMINGHAM: He was under criticism for not doing enough. Despite scoring runs in double figures, people wanted him to go into triple figures and he did exactly that against New Zealand on Wednesday at Edgbaston.

And, Babar Azam is well aware of what people were expecting from him.

“I had this thing in my mind that I am unable to finish the game for Pakistan despite scoring runs, so I was also eager to do so and I am happy that today I managed to do that,” a visibly excited Babar told media after Pakistan’s six-wicket win over New Zealand.

“I wanted to take the game till the end, had good partnerships with Hafeez and Haris. Thanks to almighty that I applied what I planned to,” the 24-year-old batsman said who also reached the milestone of scoring three thousand one-day international runs.

He added, that it always feels good to score and contribute towards the team’s success.

“I never aim for personal goals, it is always my target to do whatever the team wants me to do,” he said adding that his innings of 101 not out is one of the best innings of his career.

Praising his teammates, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Sohail, Babar said everyone contributed in the win against New Zealand and it has further boosted team’s morale.

The batsman added, he is hopeful that Pakistan will win its next two matches against Afghanistan in Leeds and then Bangladesh on July 5.

“We have got the momentum and I am confident that we’ll win our remaining matches as well,” Babar said.

Responding to a question about the comparison being done to the 1992 World Cup, Babar said, the team is not thinking much about that.

Pakistan’s win sequence and many other factors in this tournament aren’t different from what it was in 1992; giving many a hope that the final result won’t be different as well.

However, Babar is hopeful that Pakistan will give its best in remaining matches and try to make it to the final four and the final of the World Cup.