‘You will see that’ – Pakistan batter backs Babar Azam after failure in first match versus New Zealand

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman backed former skipper Babar Azam to rediscover his best form with the bat. Pakistan are playing New Zealand and South Africa in a tri-series ahead of the Champions Trophy tournament. The hosts lost the opening match by 78 runs on Saturday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore with Babar scoring just ten runs. 

During his chat at the end of the game, Zaman said, “It happens in cricket but the class and legacy of Babar is such that you can not say much about one match and you will see that he will perform in the upcoming matches.”

Chasing 331 to win, Pakistan were bowled out for 252 with Fakhar Zaman top scoring with 84 runs. His knock came off 69 balls with seven boundaries and four huge sixes before falling in the 24th over to Glenn Phillips. The second of the tournament will see New Zealand take on South Africa on Monday in Lahore. 

Babar Azam’s form a concern for Pakistan 

Former skipper Babar Azam has been in bad run of form in the last few matches. The 30-year-old scored 45 runs from four innings during the recent Test series against West Indies. His last fifty came during the Cape Town Test against South Africa where Babar scored 58 and 81 to rekindle hopes of his best form with the bat. 

Speaking at the end of the game skipper Mohammad Rizwan said, “When we lose, it looks difficult only. When we were bowling, the wicket looked a bit difficult. The way Phillips batted was outstanding. When we focus on what we improve on, we need to work on our fielding.”

Meanwhile, Glenn Phillips was given man of the match for his 72-ball ton and wicket of Fakhar Zaman. The Kiwi star said, “We had a tough little middle period, Pakistani bowlers bowled well. The way Bracewell came in and kicked on was great and I tried to continue the momentum and followed his lead. I love my bowling. That was pretty special, obviously my first hundred and that felt great.”