Babar Azam’s century provides crumb of comfort to Pakistan following defeat by Afghanistan

Babar Azam (Image - Google Search)

May 25 (CRICKETNMORE) - Pakistan are more than accustomed to being viewed as outsiders coming into global tournaments. It is a position they have previously used to their advantage, with Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side upsetting the odds only two years ago to lift the ICC Champions Trophy on English soil.

And despite that triumph, which included a stunning 180-run win over fierce rivals India in the final, expectations have been tempered once again ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.

This time around, a mixed run of one-day form and selection issues have dogged Pakistan’s build-up to the flagship event in the international cricket calendar

The 1992 World Cup champions were swept aside 4-0 by England earlier this month.  That series defeat extended their overall record to ten consecutive ODI defeats and prompted Pakistan management to recall Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz from the international wilderness.

But amid the disappointment of suffering a clean sweep to the World Cup hosts, Pakistan did find comfort in the formidable form of Babar Azam.

The 24-year-old, the world’s top-ranked Twenty20 international batsman, appeared at home in English conditions during his four innings, notching 234 runs at an average of 117.

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