"I want to compete against the best players in the world, and Babar is one...": Nathan Lyon

One of the best contemporary batters, Babar Azam is going to be one of the challenges for Nathan Lyon in the upcoming Test series between Australia and Pakistan. Lyon, who has always backed himself for such challenges against the top batters in the world, said that Babar is certainly 'one of those guys'.

Australia and Pakistan are ready for the historic Test series between two countries in Pakistan scheduled to begin from tomorrow. 

Ahead of the same, Nathan Lyon spoke about Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam who is at present ranked as the number one ODI and T20I batter and placed ninth under the ICC rankings for Test batters. 

Lyon who himself has been a top contributor for Australia with more than 400 Test wickets to his name said, “I have always said from day one of my careers that I want to compete against the best players in the world, and Babar is definitely one of those guys.”

As quoted by Khaleej Times, Lyon further added, “I can’t wait to challenge myself, but there are some unbelievable batters in this Pakistan line-up that I am going to have some decent challenges with.” 

Nathan Lyon further mentioned that his team would be eager to complete a whitewash. "To be honest, my mindset in every game I go into is to win and not go into to draw or lose it, so my mindset is to be here in Pakistan and win 3-0.” 

The historic tour will see Australia playing international cricket in Pakistan after 1999. The winner of the same, as informed by the Pakistan Cricket Board will be presented with the Benaud-Qadir trophy. 

Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir are two legendary players of Australia and Pakistan respectively who have represented the sides in many memorable matches. 

Speaking of the same, Benaud’s wife Daphne in a statement earlier issued by the PCB said, “I am delighted to give my approval for Richie’s name to be on this trophy alongside that of Abdul Qadir. Richie had very high regard for Abdul and the fact that both were leg-spinners has a nice ring to it.”