Updated October 26th, 2019 at 13:00 IST

Babar Azam wants to emulate Virat Kohli & Kane Williamson as skipper

Newly-appointed Pakistan T20 skipper Babar Azam has said that he will attempt to emulate India's skipper Virat Kohli and Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson as skipper

Reported by: Koushik Narayanan
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Newly-appointed Pakistan T20 skipper Babar Azam has said that he will attempt to emulate India's skipper Virat Kohli and New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson as a captain. Speaking to ICC, Babar Azam said that he seeks inspiration from Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson as he has seen them successfully juggle both captaincy and their individual career simultaneously. Babar Azam was recently appointed as Pakistan's captain for the shortest format of the game after Sarfaraz Ahmed was sacked as the team's Test and T20 skipper. 

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Babar Azam seeks inspiration from Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson

Babar Azam said that he was focusing to get a performance out of his team as well as from himself while also going to establish that he wasn't just playing for the results. Ahead of Pakistan's tour to Australia, Babar Azam said that every tour was tough and Australia's tour was even tougher. However, Babar Azam is banking on his experience in Australia that he had while he captained Pakistan's U-19 team in 2012 and while he was a part of the Pakistan team three years ago. The number one ranked T20 batsman hopes to put the Sri Lankan whitewash behind as the team gears up to face Australia. 

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PCB releases official statements 

Azhar Ali expressed his gratitude on being named as the captain and acknowledged the work done by Sarfaraz Ahmed, "There is no bigger honor than to captain the Pakistan national cricket team in the pinnacle format of the game. I feel humbled, excited and privileged, and with the support of the team, I look forward to justifying the faith that has been entrusted upon me for the World Test Championship. Sarfaraz Ahmed has done an excellent job in transforming raw talent into experienced players and I now look forward to inspiring those skillful players in our endeavors to collectively achieve our World Test Championship objectives and beyond."  Babar Azam also expressed his delight and said, “To be named the captain of the No.1 ranked side in the world is the biggest thing that has happened to my career to date. I am ready for this challenge and also willing to learn more in the process. I feel it has been a natural progression for me and I am delighted that the PCB has put faith in my capabilities."

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Published October 26th, 2019 at 12:46 IST