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[VIDEOS] Babar Azam for Somerset in T20 Blast and County Championship 2019 - Performance Watch

Danyaalr01 said:
The last time I checked, I think Babar was 18th ranked in tests. So he is improving. Last year he was in the top 5 batsmen in terms of average. So he is starting to score runs, it's just a matter of time he starts playing some big innings, that will be remembered for years and will be impactful. I think Australia is the perfect opportunity for him to do that. A Pakistani who scores runs in Australia is always regarded very highly.
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Need to get out there early. That is unlikely given it is only a 2 test series☹️
 
Abdullah said:
Need to get out there early. That is unlikely given it is only a 2 test series☹️
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Wasim Khan has said that the team, or at least the batsmen, will be sent to train at Perth 4 weeks prior to the series. That is plenty of time for them to get used to conditions.
 
Babar Azam smashed a hundred by hitting a six on the last ball. He was in the 70s in the 18th over and reached his century in the 20th over. Just amazing how he is learning and evolving.
 
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Somerset’s prolific opening partnership of Babar Azam and Tom Banton currently occupy two of the top three spots in the PCA’s Vitality Blast Most Valuable Player Rankings.

The duo, also the top two run-scorers in this year’s Blast, have piled on runs for the Taunton-based side whilst simultaneously piling pressure on the leader of the format-specific MVP Ranking, Durham’s D’Arcy Short.

It was a tale of two centuries for the pair this week, with the first coming for Pakistan international Azam against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl on Friday.

The wind and rain eventually limited the fixture to 32.1 overs in total, but Azam swept the gloom aside with a sparkling 102 not out from just 55 balls, including seven fours and six maximums. Ably aided by skipper Tom Abell (57 from 36), Azam’s innings accounted for over 50% of his side’s 202-4, helping the 24-year-old to 41.25 MVP points and his side to a 63-run victory via DLS.

Although Banton only managed one in that game, he was not to be outdone by his esteemed colleague, all but matching Azam’s feat just a day later.

The 20-year-old confirmed his reputation as the most exciting young player in T20 cricket by taking centre stage in Somerset’s big victory over high-flying Kent Spitfires. With Azam run out for nine early on, Banton revelled in the extra pressure to post a sublime 100 from just 52 balls – his maiden T20 ton – and claim the MVP award for the game, along with most of the plaudits.

Despite having earned nine extra MVP fielding points over his colleague, wicketkeeper Banton sits four points behind Azam in the Blast MVP, with the pair currently occupying third and second position respectively.

https://www.thepca.co.uk/press-release/babar-and-banton-open-up-blast-mvp-race/
 
Babar Azam has taken the 2019 Vitality Blast by storm.

The Pakistan batsman has scored 434 runs at an average of 62 with a strike rate of 152.82.

We sat down with him at the Cooper Associates County Ground earlier this week to discuss his 2019.

How would you describe you year so far?

“Definitely so far, so good! I’ve spent quite a bit of time in England with Pakistan and now Somerset. I’ve really enjoyed it so far and have become accustomed to the conditions now. I was really pleased with how my World Cup went, and that has given me a lot of confidence moving forward.

“It was my first World Cup and although it was a big challenge, it was something I really enjoyed. The atmosphere at all the Pakistan games was amazing and so many people turned up to cheer us on. We were all very grateful to the fans for their support.”

What is it like playing for Somerset?

“I quickly found out about the fantastic history of Somerset and was very happy to come and play here. There are lovely people supporting us here in Taunton and everyone has been very welcoming to me, which I would like to thank everybody for. The support staff and coaches have also helped me a lot in my time so far. I will try my very best to perform in every match for the people of Somerset and so far I’m pleased with my performances.”

Tell us about your cricketing journey.

“I didn’t start playing cricket until I was about 12 years old, where I began my career at Club level. Although I started quite late, I fell in love with the game and played a lot in the streets before my parents helped me find a club.

“I went from U15 level through to U23 level before playing for Pakistan A. I was very happy that after one further year, I was called into the Pakistan team. Making my ODI debut in my home town of Lahore was a special feeling. I felt very honoured to make my debut there against Zimbabwe and was really happy to get a half-century.”

How do you see your game in red-ball cricket?

“I definitely feel like there is more to come from me in First Class and Test cricket. I have done okay in the white-ball game recently, but I really want to prove myself in Test cricket, so I will be doing my best to achieve my goals in this format.

“I’m really looking forward to playing a Specsavers County Championship match for Somerset at Edgbaston. Hopefully I can score a few runs and help Somerset win the match. I know the Club are close to winning that first title, so fingers crossed I can play a small part in this.”

What are your career goals?

“I really want to aim as high as I can throughout the rest of my career, and perform to the best of my ability for Pakistan over a long period of time. I love playing cricket. I want to enjoy my career and play with a smile on my face.”

https://www.somersetcountycc.co.uk/news/first-xi/babar-having-a-blast/
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TEAM: Here is your Somerset XI that will take on Warwickshire! &#55356;&#57295;<br><br>Babar Azam and Roelof van der Merwe come in from the last <a href="https://twitter.com/CountyChamp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CountyChamp</a> match at Headingley <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WARvSOM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WARvSOM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://t.co/ypp3AdyykQ">pic.twitter.com/ypp3AdyykQ</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1163022317011787776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
i had the stream on just waiting for him and wecharra got out first ball i missed it...
 
Soft dismissal.

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/354674694?byline=0&portrait=0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
So disappointing. I was expecting better.
And to think it was just a bad shot and not a peach of a delivery or something
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stand and deliver from Babar Azam to get off the mark!<br><br>Somerset 46/2 -> <a href="https://t.co/dF6GhNA901">https://t.co/dF6GhNA901</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WARvSOM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WARvSOM</a> <a href="https://t.co/3FBxPAeRyl">pic.twitter.com/3FBxPAeRyl</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1164126803897868289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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Batting well at the moment. He is out if the t20 mindset and into the red ball one. It seems like he enjoys batting with Tom Banton.
 
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/355100367?byline=0&portrait=0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>.
 
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WrpV2OqnXDA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Babar batting on 38* in a big chase for Somerset.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">44 off 29 balls for Babar Azam for Somerset today. He remains the top-scorer in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20Blast2019?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20Blast2019</a> with 478 runs in 10 matches at an average of 59.75 and strike-rate of 152.71 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/mLOogqdCp8">pic.twitter.com/mLOogqdCp8</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1164989264398102529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
What a terrible inngings so far he scored 30 off 16 and the next 18 balls he’s only scored 17 poweprlay player
 
Gone for 63 was a very poor innings after the powerplay I watched the whole innings he could only get one boundary after the powerplay for 5 overs and than he got the pace bowler and hit him for two fours and than perished to slow bowling again. These are very average bowlers to be honest and he has to do a lot better than this in the t20 World Cup
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another classy innings from <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealPCB</a> star <a href="https://twitter.com/babarazam258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@babarazam258</a> &#55357;&#56396;<br><br>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blast19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blast19</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/YDseyYqyWE">https://t.co/YDseyYqyWE</a> <a href="https://t.co/s4I7j1Mb0R">pic.twitter.com/s4I7j1Mb0R</a></p>— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) <a href="https://twitter.com/VitalityBlast/status/1165342219341111297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Abdullah719 said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another classy innings from <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealPCB</a> star <a href="https://twitter.com/babarazam258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@babarazam258</a> ��<br><br>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blast19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blast19</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/YDseyYqyWE">https://t.co/YDseyYqyWE</a> <a href="https://t.co/s4I7j1Mb0R">pic.twitter.com/s4I7j1Mb0R</a></p>— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) <a href="https://twitter.com/VitalityBlast/status/1165342219341111297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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such a class batsmen Babar is. Hope he performs well in test aswell
 
After the power play the bowlers took the pace off and scoring slowed down.The pitch was hybrid grass pitch i.e. synthetic fibres are stiched into the pitch.I don't know if this type of pitch is easy to bat on or not.
 
Mean&Green said:
Gone for 63 was a very poor innings after the powerplay I watched the whole innings he could only get one boundary after the powerplay for 5 overs and than he got the pace bowler and hit him for two fours and than perished to slow bowling again. These are very average bowlers to be honest and he has to do a lot better than this in the t20 World Cup
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Compared to the other batsmen it seems like a pretty good performance. He carried the team once again. He's not a power hitter, you cant expect him to score at a 180 strike rate every game. He's one of the main reasons Somerset is in the top 4. If SOmerset reach the Quarter Finals, Babar won't be playing and I don't see them going to the final as the only other decent bat in their team is Tom Banton, and even though he has scored runs at a decent strike rate, he did have a match losing 50 against Sussex where he scored 51 at 113 strike rate. In that game Babar scored 86 at 164.
 
Mean&Green said:
Gone for 63 was a very poor innings after the powerplay I watched the whole innings he could only get one boundary after the powerplay for 5 overs and than he got the pace bowler and hit him for two fours and than perished to slow bowling again. These are very average bowlers to be honest and he has to do a lot better than this in the t20 World Cup
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Yes cannot Accelerate against darters at all
 
such a treat to watch ... his play in the V and the square is beautiful .... just amazing ... always looks realaxed on the pitch ... along with Harris Sohail (who i think is a better batsmen than Babar) are the future of pak batting
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It was some amazing days with the Somerset family and fans. I am grateful to you all for the love that I have received here. Wish you enough. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RiseAndRise?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RiseAndRise</a> <a href="https://t.co/jwVkEzWjlH">pic.twitter.com/jwVkEzWjlH</a></p>— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) <a href="https://twitter.com/babarazam258/status/1167714014400569344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Firebat said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It was some amazing days with the Somerset family and fans. I am grateful to you all for the love that I have received here. Wish you enough. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RiseAndRise?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RiseAndRise</a> <a href="https://t.co/jwVkEzWjlH">pic.twitter.com/jwVkEzWjlH</a></p>— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) <a href="https://twitter.com/babarazam258/status/1167714014400569344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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No more T20 blast games for Babar this season??

Really hoped to see more of him...
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you for everything <a href="https://twitter.com/babarazam258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@babarazam258</a>! <br><br>Matches 1️⃣3️⃣ <br>Runs 5️⃣7️⃣8️⃣<br>Average 5️⃣3️⃣<br>Strike Rate 1️⃣4️⃣9️⃣<br>Centuries 1️⃣<br>Fours 6️⃣0️⃣<br>Sixes 1️⃣4️⃣<br><br>What. A. Player &#55357;&#56613;&#55357;&#56613;&#55357;&#56613;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://t.co/phMzG2P42w">pic.twitter.com/phMzG2P42w</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1168118782738534401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
He's had a fantastic stint here and surely this will elevate his status as one of the top players in the world. I hope next time though he can play more county championship games becuase I feel that's more valuable for him than the T20 blast
 
Babar had a good outing.Didnt end on a high though.
The last match had a golden duck and the failed catch of Morgan who won MDS the match eventually.
But a great outing nonetheless.
 
Batting with banton and tom abell will surely help him increase his stroke range .Personally i am not fully satisfied with babar azam .he has set pretty high standards and he could have batted much better than that
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnThisDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnThisDay</a> - 2019: Babar Azam strokes 102* from just 55 balls for Somerset against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl 👊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://t.co/NseJozZMKI">pic.twitter.com/NseJozZMKI</a></p>— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1556896874312892418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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