​Dream to become no.1 in all formats: Babar Azam

“Dream to become No.1 in all formats” says Babar Azam in response to Dinesh Karthik's praise

Pakistan's all-format skipper Babar Azam, ranked number one in the ICC Player Rankings for batters in both One-Day Internationals (ODI) and T20I formats, has expressed his desire to reach the pinnacle in red-ball cricket as well.

Azam was reacting to a recent remark made by Indian wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, who said the 27-year-old could become numero uno in all formats.

As per the Hindustan Times, Azam was asked, "Cricketers worldwide are in awe of your batting, and Dinesh Karthik has even said that you can become No. 1. Do you think you can get there, and if yes, what are you doing to achieve it?"

In response, Azam said, "Definitely, as a player, it's a dream to become the No. 1 in all formats, and for that, you have to focus and put in hard work. It's not like if you are the top player in 1 or 2 formats, you go easy. If you are to become No.1 in all three, you have to keep yourself fit and on track. There is back-to-back cricket, and the gap is less. For that, you need to be extra fit. It's something I am preparing for. It's going well in white-ball, and hopefully, I will be able to do well in Tests too."

Karthik, who made a comeback into the Indian T20 squad due to his spectacular performance for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), lauded Azam's performances for Pakistan in his short career so far.

"One-hundred per cent (Babar is capable of achieving that). He is a high-quality player who is at the peak of his batting prowess, and he has got some Test matches coming up.

He has been phenomenal in all three formats of the game, and he has done well in different batting positions too. I wish him all the best and think he has the potential. He has got all the following of Pakistan helping him in abundance to go on and do special things for his country," Karthik said in an interview with the ICC.

Azam will lead Pakistan in the upcoming 3-ODI series against West Indies in Multan, while Karthik will be seen playing against South Africa in India's 5-T20I series at home.