Hasn’t Scored as Many Runs: Steve Smith on Babar Azam
The ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has seen some thrilling matches, and one of the most anticipated encounters is between Pakistan and Australia. Ahead of the match, Australian captain Steve Smith spoke about Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam, who has been struggling to score runs in recent matches. Despite his poor form, Smith believes that Azam is still a wonderful player and urged Pakistan fans not to worry.
In a recent interview, Smith said, “He maybe hasn’t scored as many runs as he would have liked in the last little bit. We’re all guilty of that at stages throughout our careers, don’t worry, but yeah, look, he’s a wonderful player.” These words of encouragement from the Australian captain came as a relief to Pakistan fans, who have been worried about Azam’s form.
Azam has been one of the most successful batsmen in international cricket in recent years, with an impressive average of over 50 in both Tests and ODIs. However, in the ongoing Champions Trophy, he has struggled to score runs, with a total of just 53 runs in three matches. This decline in form has raised concerns about his ability to perform under pressure.
Despite his recent struggles, Smith believes that Azam is still a world-class player who can turn the match around with his batting. “He’s a fantastic player, and I’m sure he’ll come good soon,” Smith said. “We’ve all had periods where we haven’t scored as many runs as we would have liked, but he’s a wonderful player, and I’m sure he’ll come good soon.”
Smith’s words of encouragement are likely to boost Azam’s confidence, which has taken a hit due to his poor form. Azam has been known to be a fighter on the field, and with Smith’s backing, he is likely to bounce back strongly in the remaining matches of the tournament.
Pakistan’s fortunes have been closely tied to Azam’s performance, and his struggles have been a major concern for the team. However, with Smith’s words of encouragement, Azam may be able to regain his form and lead Pakistan to a successful campaign in the Champions Trophy.
The Pakistan-Australia match is likely to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Australia has a strong batting lineup, with players like Steve Smith, David Warner, and Marnus Labuschagne. On the other hand, Pakistan has a potent bowling attack, with players like Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi, and Hasan Ali.
The match is also likely to be a contest between two of the most experienced captains in international cricket. Steve Smith has a wealth of experience, having led Australia to several victories in the past. On the other hand, Babar Azam is still relatively new to the captaincy, but has already shown his leadership skills with some impressive performances.
In conclusion, Smith’s words of encouragement for Azam are likely to boost the Pakistani batsman’s confidence, which has taken a hit due to his poor form. With the Champions Trophy 2025 being a high-stakes tournament, Azam will need to regain his form quickly to help Pakistan progress to the next stage of the competition.
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