Babar Azam hopes to win World Cup to accomplish his childhood dreams

• Babar eyes World Cup win.
• Pakistan lost to Australia in T20 World Cup’s semifinal last year.
• He feels energetic while paying in front of fans.

Pakistan high-flying captain Babar Azam hopes that his remarkable run-scoring may propel his team to World Cup victory and fulfill a childhood goal.

The 27-year-old has showcased the best form of his life in all three formats of international cricket  He became the first batsman to score back-to-back three centuries on two separate occasions in ODIs.

Read more: Pak vs WI: Babar Azam praises security forces, staff for working at 45+ degrees

But Azam told the international news agency that his outstanding record will be meaningless if he fails to win the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in October and later the 50-over World Cup in India next year.

“No doubt I am enjoying my form,” top-order batsman Azam, who is ranked number one in the world in both ODI cricket and T20 internationals, said in emailed comments.

“But with this form, my prime goal is to win the two World Cups for Pakistan in the next one-and-a-half years and if that happens I will feel that my runs are worth gold.”

Read more: Babar Azam pass Virat Kohli as fastest Captain to 1,000 ODI runs

Pakistan did not win the 2010 and 2012 junior World Cups despite the fact that the man dubbed “King” scored the most runs for his country on both occasions.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup despite Babar’s match-winning century against eventual runners-up New Zealand.

In the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in the UAE last year, despite Babar’s continued batting brilliance, Pakistan lost to eventual champion Australia.

An inspirational leader

The right-hand batsman assumed the role of a captain in all formats in 2019. He stated that rather than taking it as a burden, he enjoys being a role model for others.

“As captain I want to take the challenge because I am at the front. If I am in front, only then my team will follow me and that is the same with run scoring,” he said.

“If I am scoring runs then other batters will follow and get inspired, but there is always room for improvement so I want to improve my finishing and that is important as captain.”

He made his international debut against Zimbabwe in 2015 with a gradual comeback of cricket to the country after being suspended due to terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team in 2009.

He says he feels energetic when playing in front of Pakistan’s enthusiastic fans.

“It’s a great feeling playing at your home grounds and before your own fans,” said Azam.

“That gives me a double dose of energy and I aspire more and more wins for Pakistan.”

Read more: Pak vs WI: ‘Thank you so much’, Babar Azam sends special message to Multan crowd