Babar Azam tipped to find form prior to 2026 T20 World Cup
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam is being backed to find his best touch prior to the start of the next T20 World Cup in February.
Australia batter Josh Philippe is backing Pakistan stalwart Babar Azam to find his best form prior to the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Babar has been struggling for touch in recent times, with the 31-year-old having only scored two half-centuries at T20I level since the most recent T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies towards the middle of last year.
Screamer! Babar Azam takes a sharp reflex catch at first slip | T20WC 2022
Babar Azam took a stunning catch at first slip during Pakistan's clash against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022.
The dip in form has also seen Babar drop down the ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings, with the former No.1 ranked T20I batter currently in 31st place on the latest rankings which is a worrying sign for the veteran less than two months out from the start of next year's T20 World Cup.
Babar is currently in Australia preparing for the 20-over showcase with a stint for the Sydney Sixers in the domestic Big Bash competition and his time Down Under hasn't got off to a great start with a pair of single figure scores from two appearances in the famous magenta colours.
The genius of Babar Azam - as told by his friends and colleagues | T20WC 2022
But Australia batter-keeper and Babar's current teammate at the Sixers Philippe thinks it's only a matter of time before the Pakistan star goes on a hot streak and finds the form that he is capable of.
"He's a world-class player," Philippe said of Babar.
"It's probably challenging coming to Australia and these bouncy surfaces. But a couple of games under the belt, a few more sessions, he'll be absolutely fine.
"His record is outstanding. I have no doubt he'll be in the runs next game."
Iconic Partnerships - Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan | T20 World Cup
Iconic Partnerships - Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan | T20 World Cup
Philippe himself is trying to impress national selectors as he attempts to put his own case forward for a place in Australia's squad for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
The 28-year-old appeared in good touch during white-ball fixtures against India at home in October and November and has made a strong start to his Big Bash campaign with a team-high innings of 46 in the Sixers' most recent fixture against Adelaide.
Those runs came for Philippe batting at No.3 and the hard-hitting right-hander is happy to continue in that role so Babar can try and find form as an opener.
"I'm happy to play whatever role is required," Philippe added.
"I'm looking forward to hopefully putting on a big partnership with (Babar) and learning from him out in the middle.
"He's a really nice guy and we're certainly enjoying having him around."