Babar Azam has expressed his determination to lead Pakistan to a World Cup victory, emphasizing his focus on improving fitness and honing his game to achieve this long-cherished goal. Over the past decade, Babar has established himself as one of Pakistan’s most prolific batters, scoring 32 international centuries, the fourth-highest for any Pakistani player.
Despite his personal success, a major trophy has eluded him. Under his captaincy, Pakistan reached the ICC T20 World Cup final in 2022 against England but fell short, losing by five wickets. The last World Cup triumph for Pakistan came in 2009 under Younis Khan’s leadership.
In a conversation with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen on ‘The Switch,’ Babar reflected on his career and aspirations. When asked about his goals for the next five years, he stated that winning an ICC trophy is his ultimate ambition. He highlighted past near-misses, including the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup finals, as motivation to work harder on fitness and preparation.
Babar also discussed handling pressure as Pakistan’s leading batter. Acknowledging his human side, he noted that mistakes happen, but maintaining focus is key. He explained that he often tunes out external opinions, relying instead on self-reflection and guidance from his coaches to manage the mental challenges of international cricket.
