(Web Desk) – Australian captain Mitchell Marsh has heaped praise on Pakistan star Babar Azam, calling him the best player, as both teams gear up for a high-stakes T20I series ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Speaking during the unveiling of the Pakistan-Australia T20 series trophy, Mitchell Marsh said he has immense respect for Babar Azam. The Australian captain described Babar as the best player and acknowledged his consistency and impact at the international level.
“I respect Babar Azam as a player a lot,” Marsh said, highlighting the mutual admiration between players from both sides.
Marsh emphasized the importance of the series, calling it a vital opportunity for preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup. He said competitive matches against Pakistan would help Australia fine-tune their combinations and strategies.
“The series is very important for preparing for the World Cup,” the Australian captain said.
Happy to be in Pakistan
Expressing his excitement about touring Pakistan, Marsh said he was pleased to arrive in Lahore. He also shared a light-hearted moment, admitting he did not expect the weather to be so cold.
“I am happy to come to Pakistan. I did not think it would be cold here, so I did not wear very warm clothes,” he said with a smile.
Marsh acknowledged Pakistan’s strong bowling tradition, especially its fast bowlers. He said Australian players are well aware of Pakistan’s history of producing world-class pacers and are prepared for the challenge.
“Pakistan’s fast bowlers have a memorable history,” he noted.
Australia ready despite absentees
The Australian captain said his team is ready for the series despite several key players missing. A 17-member Australian squad arrived in Lahore on Wednesday ahead of the three-match T20I series, which begins on Thursday at the Gaddafi Stadium.
The team will take a day’s rest before the opening match. Reports suggest that Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis may miss the first T20I, with Travis Head expected to lead the side as stand-in captain.
The second and third T20Is will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on January 31 and February 1. The toss for each match is scheduled for 5:30 pm PKT, with the first ball to be bowled at 6:00 pm PKT.
The series will serve as crucial match practice for both sides ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
