Babar Azam makes honest admission, tells Pakistan reporters to stop calling him ‘king’
Babar Azam has requested fans and the media to stop calling him “King,” emphasizing team progress over individual titles. Speaking after Pakistan’s six-wicket win against South Africa in the tri-nation ODI series, Babar stated he is “not King” and still has “a long way to go”. He also acknowledged the performances of Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman. Their 261-run stand helped Pakistan complete their highest-ever ODI run chase, successfully overhauling South Africa’s 353-run target.
Shadab Khan previously noted that the “King” label adds unnecessary pressure on Babar, which could hinder his performance. Hasan Ali’s viral comment referring to Babar as “Bobzy the King” initially popularized the title.
Babar’s form has been inconsistent recently, with his last international century on August 30, 2023, against Nepal. In the recent ODI against South Africa, he scored 23 runs. Kamran Akmal believes that pushing Babar to open is damaging his confidence and the team’s balance. Babar took on the role of an opener due to SaimAyub’s injury. With the Champions Trophy approaching, Babar aims to regain his form.