Babar expects more from Pakistan’s ODI team

• Pakistan’s in-form side swept the West Indies 3-0 at home last week.
• Pakistan leapfrog India into fourth place in the Men’s ODI Team Rankings.
• Captain Babar Azam believes his team must continue to improve.

Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, admits that his team must continue to improve if it is to become a force in One Day International cricket.

Pakistan’s in-form side swept the West Indies 3-0 at home last week and have just lost one 50-over match this calendar year as they look to extend their winning streak in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.

Babar, on the other hand, believes his team still has a lot of work to do if they want to qualify for next year’s event and win a second 50-over World Cup in India.

“We still need to improve in certain areas,” Babar stated after Pakistan’s series triumph, which enabled them leapfrog India into fourth place in the Men’s ODI Team Rankings.

“In the middle, we continue to lose wickets in clumps, putting us on the back foot.”

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“The players need to be more focused in this area; it’s something to improve on.”

“Our fielding has improved, but when a solid relationship emerges, our body language still deteriorates, and that’s something more we can work on.”

Babar’s current form with the bat has a lot to do with Pakistan’s recent surge, as the No. 1 ODI batter in the world recently became only the second player in history to score three straight one-day century on two separate occasions.

But Babar understands that for Pakistan to succeed, he needs contributions from the entire squad, and the right-hander was encouraged by some of his teammates’ efforts during the West Indies series.

Imam-ul-Haq was named Player of the Series after hitting three straight half-centuries, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz shared the wicket-taking lead with seven each.

Babar was particularly pleased by Khushdil Shah’s tremendous hitting in the last overs of an innings, as the 27-year-old continues to build a name for himself.

Babar observed, “Bench strength usually gives you a lift.”

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“It’s reassuring to know you have individuals on the bench who are ready to play.”

“On the bench, we had Iftikhar (Ahmed), Abdullah Shafique, and (Shahnawaz) Dahani. We attempted a new bowling combination, and they did exceptionally well.”

“Seeing that as a captain is incredibly fulfilling.”