Pakistan’s batting maestro Babar Azam is all set to shine on a different stage after he graced the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 with his remarkable skills. The star batter, currently representing the Colombo Strikers, is not only aiming to make his presence felt in the league but also to use it as a crucial stepping stone in his preparation for the imminent Asia Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup.
In a recent press release from the LPL, Babar Azam articulated his intentions clearly: “Whenever you play different leagues, in different conditions you end up learning a lot. I try my level best to perform well. I adapt to different conditions while facing different bowlers from Asia because we have a lot of cricket coming up in Asia. We have Asia Cup, the Afghanistan series, and the World Cup as well. I will try to focus, adapt to the conditions, and face good spinners to prepare for these upcoming big tournaments.”
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The Asia Cup, a highly anticipated cricketing extravaganza, is set to commence on August 30, and Babar Azam’s Pakistan will co-host the tournament alongside Sri Lanka. Following the Asia Cup, the cricketing world’s attention will shift to the ICC Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place in India from October 5.
Babar Azam’s journey in the LPL marks his debut in the league, a prospect that excites him. Speaking about his involvement with the Colombo Strikers, Babar expressed his enthusiasm: “This is my first league, and I am looking forward to playing all the matches. I joined the team a couple of days back and felt really happy after meeting my teammates. We have a young team, and everyone is looking forward to giving their best, improving, and performing well for the franchise.”
In his LPL campaign so far, Babar has showcased his class with the bat, amassing 107 runs in three matches at an average of 35.66 and an impressive strike rate exceeding 127. His performance includes a well-earned half-century, demonstrating his consistency and adaptability on the field.
Babar Azam’s partnership with Niroshan Dickwella, the captain of Colombo Strikers, is anticipated to be a pivotal factor in the team’s performance. Their shared cricketing experiences and camaraderie are expected to positively influence the team’s dynamics. Babar highlighted the significance of playing alongside senior players: “When you share a dressing room with senior players, you take positive things.”
The Lanka Premier League, featuring captivating teams such as Dambulla Aura captained by Kusal Mendis, Galle Titans led by Dasun Shanaka, B-Love Kandy captained by Wanindu Hasaranga, and defending champions Jaffna Kings led by Thisara Perera, adopts a round-robin league format for its group-stage matches. The tournament, which began on July 30, will see the top four teams on the points table advancing to the playoffs, starting on August 17.
The grand finale is scheduled for August 20, with August 21 reserved as a contingency day for potential rain interruptions.
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