Babar Azam: Have Pakistan found their next batting star?

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Babar Azam: Have Pakistan found their next batting star?

Babar Azam celebrates his century against West Indies in Sharjah on Sunday (Photo by M.Sajjad)

Dubai - We know how talented Babar Azam is, captain Azhar said

By KT Sports

Published: Mon 3 Oct 2016, 3:14 PM

Last updated: Tue 4 Oct 2016, 4:57 PM

Highly rated Pakistani youngster Babar Azam has finally begun to translate his potential into performance. Pakistan fans should thank the immensely talented 21-year-old batsman for helping the team win their first one-day series on UAE soil with back-to-back hundreds against the West Indies in Sharjah.
Azam's first one-day century (120) of his career helped Azhar Ali's men beat the West Indies by 111 runs in the first match of the three-game series against the West Indies in Sharjah on Friday.
Then two days later, Azam was brilliant once again in Sharjah.

Pak's middle order gets a boost by Babar Azams success. Great find & great stamina to hit back to back 100's in this heat. A special talent.
- Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) October 2, 2016

Babar Azam Interview at Sharjah Cricket Stadium #PAKvWI https://t.co/MZZGyqH1xL
- PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) October 3, 2016

Well done #TeamGreen???? Love the approach #KeepItUp Don't we miss the Windies of the 80/90s? Sacking Phil Simmons hurting them bad #PakVsWI
- waqar younis (@waqyounis99) October 3, 2016

Despite losing two quick wickets, Azam showed great maturity as he shared a 169-run partnership with the experienced Shoaib Malik (90) for the third wicket.
Azam never tried to match the free-scoring Malik in that partnership and brought up his second century (123) in as many matches to put Pakistan in a commanding position.
The signs are very positive for Pakistan cricket because they desperately needed their youngsters to deliver the goods after the one-day departures of their two giants Misbah-ul Haq and Younis Khan. And Azam has definitely started to hit the right notes.
It's impressive for someone who failed to convert his 30s and 40s into big scores in Pakistan's 4-1 one-day series defeat in England in August.
Azam's progress has obviously delighted captain Azhar Ali.
"We know how talented Babar Azam is, we know how capable he is. He was playing really well in England, but couldn't convert his 30s and 40s into a big score," Azhar said after Pakistan's 59-run win over the West Indies in the second one-day on Sunday night,
"We spoke to him and he realised that as a batsman, you don't want to score 30-40 when you get set. That's a tough period, and you want to score big. And he really converted those two big hundreds."
West Indies captain Jason Holder was also impressed. "I first saw Babar a couple years ago in Under-19 cricket and he scored a hundred against us there," the West Indies captain said.
"He's a good player. I felt he played really really nicely. He assessed the conditions quite well and he took his time. He was able to take his time in both innings. He had lots of overs to bat."
Pakistan fans will now hope that Babar Azam will play a long innings in international cricket. Naturally, Pakistan batting will prosper if Azam can continue to deliver from the crucial number three spot.