A lot has changed in the Pakistan cricket since a huge defeat of their team in the ICC World cup 2019. Pakistan has appointed a new head coach as Misbah-ul-Haq where he was seen coming out with some strict fitness rules for the Srilankan Series.
Further, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not just renewed the contracts of the entire coaching staff but also decided to shorten the list of players in the central contract, with two senior players in Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez being left out.
However, Sarfaraz has been retained as the captain of the team along with Babar Azam officially been given the vice-captaincy. Being one of the most talented batsmen in world cricket and Babar is set to begin a new phase in his career where he learns some leadership skills.
Being to face the first ODI against Sri Lanka at the hometown as a Vice-Captain, Babar feels honored to have the responsibility in the game. Babar took to Twitter to express his happiness for a special place in the team, calling the first match on Friday as one of the biggest days of his career.
“Friday will be one of my biggest days when I will take the field as Pakistan vice-captain. I will want the entire country as well as the National Stadium crowd to make this a day to remember for me,” – Babar Azam tweeted.
Friday will be one of my biggest days when I will take the field as Pakistan vice-captain. I will want the entire country as well as the National Stadium crowd to make this a day to remember for me. #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/YbhfvHIIga
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) September 25, 2019
Babar has recollected his childhood days of watching Pakistan cricket play at the venue in the crowd. It would, hence, be a proud moment for him to come out as the vice-captain of the side as international cricket resumes after a long time.
“As a youngster, I have seen on television packed-to-capacity National Stadium for ODIs and the two matches that immediately come to my mind are the 2004 and 2008 ODIs against India. In 2004, Pakistan lost by five runs despite Inzamam-ul-Haq’s brilliant century but four years later, Younis Khan’s belligerent 123 not out steered us to eight wickets victory. I am hoping there will be a similar crowd number when we will play Sri Lanka,” – Babar noted.
But after all the prayer’s the 1st ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has abandoned without a ball bowled due to heavy rainfall.
Pakistan will eye on the 2nd ODI which is on 30th September 2019 at National Stadium, Karachi.
