Babar Azam Targets Long-Awaited World Cup Success for Pakistan

Babar Azam has his eyes firmly set on lifting a World Cup trophy for Pakistan, saying he is training hard, both in fitness and in skill, to achieve that long-awaited milestone finally.

Over the past decade, Babar has turned into one of Pakistan’s most reliable performers, building a remarkable record that includes 32 international centuries, the fourth-highest tally for any Pakistani batter.

Even with all his skill on the field and the way he leads the team, that trophy case for Pakistan still sits with one big gap. He took them all the way to the final in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup. England pulled off a five-wicket victory to beat them, though. Their last real World Cup win happened way back in 2009. Younis Khan was the captain then, and he led them to that success.

Babar opened up a lot during his chat with Kevin Pietersen on ‘The Switch’. He covered the good moments, the tough pressures, and what drives him to keep going. Pietersen asked straight up about his plans for the coming years. Babar did not hold back. His main goal right now is to grab an ICC title for the team.

“We want to win an ICC trophy. We reached the finals of the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup, but we lost,” he said.

“That’s why I’m working hard on my fitness and everything,” he added, making it clear how much the goal means to him.

Pressure, Focus, and the Influence of AB de Villiers

Babar also spoke about the pressure that comes with being Pakistan’s leading batter, and how he deals with the noise and expectations.

“I’m [also] a human being. Sometimes you make mistakes. The main thing is the focus. I stop listening to anyone. I talk to myself, to my coaches,” he shared, explaining his mental approach at the crease.

Things got a bit more relaxed in the talk when Pietersen brought up Babar's all-time favorite batter. That part really highlighted his respect for the game, along with a touch of fun.

Babar mentioned how AB de Villiers caught his eye from the time he was just a kid. He admired the guy long before he even turned pro himself.

When KP jokingly asked, “AB is your all-time? Am I second or third?” Babar playfully replied, “No, sixth,” drawing laughter from the conversation.

He then spoke warmly about seeing AB for the first time during Pakistan’s 2007 home series against South Africa, at a time when he was just a ball picker at the stadium.

“He inspired me. When I was younger, I tried to copy him. Like his stance, he’s sideways,” Babar said, even imitating AB’s signature setup.

He described the moment he first saw his idol:

“In 2007 or maybe 2006, I was a ball picker... I saw AB for the first time. I just… You stopped and stared. Oh, my idol is here.”

For Babar, that memory remains one of the strongest reminders of why he plays and what he continues to chase.