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Babar Azam to rejoin Somerset for 2020 season from Sep 2nd to Oct 4th (T20 Blast) [Post#16]

Abdullah719

T20I Captain
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Runs
44,825
BABAR AZAM IS BACK!

One of the biggest stars in world cricket will be returning to Somerset next season.

Babar Azam made a huge impact during his time at the Cooper Associates County Ground in 2019 and Somerset Members and supporters will have the opportunity to see him again in 2020, subject to the Club obtaining the relevant visa and a No Objection Certificate from Pakistan Cricket.

The 25-year-old was the leading run scorer in the 2019 Vitality Blast, amassing an incredible 578 runs at an average of 52.54. He struck a sublime 102 not out at the Ageas Bowl and boasted an impressive tournament strike rate of 149.35.

His prowess with the bat saw him score one century and four half centuries from his 13 innings. He also struck 60 fours and 14 sixes during the competition.

He is rated as the number one IT20 batsman in the world by the ICC and his impressive performances throughout the summer saw him named as Pakistan’s IT20 Captain.

Babar Azam will be available for selection for the Vitality Blast between May 28th and July 3rd. He will also be eligible for Somerset’s County Championship matches during that time.

Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry said: “Babar Azam is the best IT20 batsman in the world and his return will be a major boost for us. He played a significant role for us in the Vitality Blast last year and his stats speak for themselves.

“He made a number of match winning contributions and he fitted seamlessly into the dressing room. You can’t ask more from your overseas players than that.

“His batting is so easy on the eye and he is so hungry to evolve his game. He will add significant value to the team, both with his batting and leadership.”

“He was extremely popular with our Members and supporters but also with our playing squad. He is a truly world class talent and we look forward to working with him again in 2020 in both the Vitality Blast and the County Championship.”

Babar Azam said: “I really enjoyed my time at Somerset, and I look forward to coming back next year. Somerset has a very good squad and the supporters made me feel very welcome. Hopefully I can help the Club reach the knock-out stages of the Vitality Blast and contribute to winning matches in the County Championship.”

https://www.somersetcountycc.co.uk/news/first-xi/babar-azam-is-back/
 
Somerset are scheduled to play 12 T20 Blast and 2 County Championship games during this period.

He probably isn't joining earlier as Ramadan ends ~24th May. Pakistan's first ODI against Netherlands is on 4th July.
 
I wish he would have played more county matches, but good for Babur he will learn more.
 
Some serious praise for Babar.
The county matches are only 2 but will be good preparation ahead of our series vs England.
 
I wish he would have played more county matches, but good for Babur he will learn more.

Don't we have a Test series in England? Could be because of that he is only there for a few matches rather than the whole season.
 
So he’ll be coming into the test series off a diet of T20 cricket?
 
Don't we have a Test series in England? Could be because of that he is only there for a few matches rather than the whole season.

There are 7 more County Championship matches earlier in the season but most of them are during Ramadan otherwise I think he might've joined earlier.
 
Great news. He upped his game after last season so this will only help him further.

I hope he rejoins them for the remaining two championship games after Pakistan's tour ends on Sept 2nd.
 
Great news. He upped his game after last season so this will only help him further.

I hope he rejoins them for the remaining two championship games after Pakistan's tour ends on Sept 2nd.

Asia Cup is scheduled for mid-September.

Barely any gaps in Pakistan's schedule for the next 10 months starting July.
 
Regardless how many games he will play, it still a great move for him and Somerset.
 
So they have sacked Azhar Ali after he averaged just 26 last year in First Class cricket?
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Babar Azam will once again play for Somerset in this year’s Vitality Blast. He will be re-joining Somerset from September 2nd to October 4th and will be available for the last seven group matches plus the knock-out stages, should Somerset qualify <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20Blast?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20Blast</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1299636323511398400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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BABAR IS BACK!

The news that all Somerset supporters have been hoping for has been confirmed today.

Pakistan batsman Babar Azam will once again represent the Club in this year’s Vitality Blast.

The 25-year-old was a sensation for Somerset in 2019, scoring more runs than anyone else in the competition (578) at an impressive average of 52.54.

He will be re-joining Somerset from September 2nd to October 4th and will therefore be available for the last seven group matches plus the knock-out stages, should Somerset qualify.

Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry said: “We originally agreed terms and announced Babar’s signing prior to the impact of Covid-19. However, since then there have obviously been revisions to the domestic and Vitality Blast schedules. Since the confirmation of the 2020 fixtures we have been working collaboratively with the ECB, PCB, Babar and his management team to ensure that we could all make the necessary adjustments that would enable him to join us to fulfil the pre-existing agreement. .

“Babar already being in England for the Test & IT20 series against England has helped us significantly and we are very grateful to Babar and his management team for their understanding of the current challenges and their flexibility.

“He is a great player, is so easy on the eye and fitted brilliantly into our environment last year. We consider Babar to be one of our own and our Members and supporters will I am sure be really looking forward to seeing him perform for Somerset again via our Live Stream service or if it is permissible, here at the Cooper Associates County Ground.”

After agreeing to return to Somerset, Babar Azam said: “I really enjoyed playing for Somerset last year and I can’t wait to get back to the Club. For obvious reasons, this year has been very different from what we were all expecting, and I fully appreciate the challenges the game has faced globally as well as here in England.

“We have all had to adapt and I’m just really pleased that we could find a way to make this happen. I hope that I can help to contribute to success on the field for Somerset again.”

As well as his outstanding performances with the bat in 2019, Babar Azam also played his part off the field and was one of a number of Somerset players who lent their support to the Super 1s initiative for disability cricket.

https://www.somersetcountycc.co.uk/news/first-xi/babar-is-back/
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Babar Azam will once again play for Somerset in this year’s Vitality Blast. He will be re-joining Somerset from September 2nd to October 4th and will be available for the last seven group matches plus the knock-out stages, should Somerset qualify <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20Blast?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20Blast</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1299636323511398400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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When will Quaid-e-Azam trophy start?
Will he be back by then?

I think he should focus more on playing domestic 4 day cricket.
 
When will Quaid-e-Azam trophy start?
Will he be back by then?

I think he should focus more on playing domestic 4 day cricket.

He should be back by then. National T20 Cup will likely take place between September 30-October 10. If anything, he will miss a few domestic T20 matches in favor of the matches in England. This will open up spots for youngsters like Shafique.

However, he will be back for First Class and List A except for Zimbabwe and then New Zealand.
 
He should be back by then. National T20 Cup will likely take place between September 30-October 10. If anything, he will miss a few domestic T20 matches in favor of the matches in England. This will open up spots for youngsters like Shafique.

However, he will be back for First Class and List A except for Zimbabwe and then New Zealand.

In that case its Ok.

T20 blast can be more helpful for him than National t20 cup but he should never be allowed to skip domestic 4 day tournament for any t20 league.
 
In that case its Ok.

T20 blast can be more helpful for him than National t20 cup but he should never be allowed to skip domestic 4 day tournament for any t20 league.

Can't disagree with this. I believe this is the stance the PCB are taking now going forward.
 
If Babar can get a 4 day first class county matches contract and Big Bash, Pura Cup contract, will be tremendous for his development
 
In that case its Ok.

T20 blast can be more helpful for him than National t20 cup but he should never be allowed to skip domestic 4 day tournament for any t20 league.

Babar is the boss of Pakistan cricket. He can skip whatever domestic tournaments he wants.
 
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