Babar Azam targets World Cup glory in next 18 months

Pakistan Cricket has been on an upward trajectory ever since Babar Azam took over the captaincy reins in all three formats. The Pakistan skipper has been in some form off-late, scoring runs freely in all formats. 

Recently, Babar led his side to a 3-0 whitewash over West Indies in the ODI Series. 

The 27-year-old batter has scored three centuries in his last six ODI innings and became the first batter to register three consecutive centuries on two different occasions in the 50-over format.

However, personal form matters little to Babar Azam if it does not help his side achieve the prime target. 

The Pakistan skipper has targeted World Cup Glory in the next 18 months, with the T20 WC scheduled to be held in Australia later this year. 

In 2021, Babar Azam led his side to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup, where they were handed a heartbreaking loss by the eventual champions, Australia.

The 50-over World Cup, which will be held in India in Oct-Nov 2023, is also on the priority list for Babar Azam. He believes that his runs will be worth gold if Pakistan is to lay their hands on the two prestigious titles. 

"No doubt I am enjoying my form. But with this form, my prime goal is to win the two World Cups for Pakistan in the next one-and-a-half years, and if that happens, I will feel that my runs are worth gold," said Babar Azam, as quoted by NDTV.

Babar Azam also revealed his cricketing idol while still trying to make a mark as a teenager. The Pakistan skipper idolised former South African batter AB de Villiers, who could score runs around the park using his non-conventional batting style.

"When I was a kid, I used to follow AB de Villiers. I liked the way he used to play the ball on the up. It was delightful for me, so I developed that, and it helps me get even with the bowlers," said Babar Azam.

As things stand, Pakistan is not scheduled for an International series until mid-August. Their next assignment comes in the form of a three-match ODI series against the Netherlands.