Is Babar Azam Opening The Batting In ODIs For Pakistan Really A Big Deal?

Bhargav Dixit

Babar Azam will open the batting in an ODI after nine years. [Source: @TheRealPCB/X]Babar Azam will open the batting in an ODI after nine years. [Source: @TheRealPCB/X]

Steven Smith used to average 58.01 before taking up the opener’s role in Test cricket last year. Although he has done it twice in the past, Babar Azam averages 56.73 before taking up the opener’s role in ODIs.

In the recent history, in terms of batters who were promoted to open the batting, you wouldn’t find two bigger achievers than Smith and Azam. For Smith, the unsuccessful stint had lasted for all of four Tests. For Azam, it could end up as a successful career pivot. Not that the 30-year-old needs to pivot. Certainly not in ODI cricket.

Since there are no guarantees in Pakistan cricket, only time will be able to tell if Azam’s spell remains a stopgap arrangement or turns into a permanent role. If truth be told, he could well be batting one-down during ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

However, if an early prediction has to be made, Azam would most likely return to No. 3 only if Fakhar Zaman clicks on international return. With Saim Ayub likely to return to the top of the order upon regaining full fitness, Zaman could face the axe if he doesn’t perform in an all-important ICC tournament being played at home.

Is It Unfair To Ask Babar Azam To Open?

Not at all. Unlike Smith, who first batted at No. 8 in Test cricket before becoming a legendary No. 4 batter, Azam has it comparatively easier. Sixth-highest ODI run-scorer at No. 3, Azam is only behind former India captain Virat Kohli in terms of average and strike rate (min. 1,000 runs).

Whenever an opening batter gets injured during the course of a match, the designated No. 3 becomes the most-suited to replace him by default. Because the difference between these two batting positions can be as less as one delivery, it’s safe to say they’re interchangeable.

More importantly, Azam has played as an opener not only in one of his latest Tests but for a significant part of his T20I career as well. As a matter of fact, he is the second-highest run-scorer as a T20I opener since first playing that role.

Therefore, Azam opening the batting for Pakistan in ODIs is no big deal. With him being their best batter in the format and there being a dearth of bench strength in Pakistan cricket, one expects him to go the extra mile.

Babar Azam’s Record As An ODI Opener

Unlike the other two formats, Azam has fared the worst in ODIs when it comes to facing the new ball. Other than the sample size being way too small, another thing which has to be taken into consideration is him performing the role as a 21-year-old in the first few months of his international career.

Score
Opposition
Bowler
Ground
Year
4 (6)EnglandDavid WilleyAbu Dhabi2015
22 (30)EnglandChris WoakesSharjah2015

Opening the batting with then-captain Azhar Ali, Azam has 26 runs at an average of 13 and a strike rate of 72.22 in this role in this format until today.