Babar Azam vows to continue purple patch

Star batsman insists improvement in Tests is around the corner

DUBAI: Pakistan cricket team's rising star Babar Azam refuted the notion that he prioritises one-day cricket over Tests and that his poor showings in the recent series against Sri Lanka was anything more than a coincidence.

Babar was a noticeable failure in the 2-0 series defeat to the Islanders but days later became a completely different player, scoring back-to-back centuries against the same opposition in the 50-over format.

That turnaround in fortunes gave birth to the notion that maybe the 23-year-old doesn't enjoy the game's longest format as much as the ODIs — something the player says is not true at all.

In a recent interview with The Daily Express, Azam said: "It's not that I don't enjoy Test cricket. It was just one of those series where things don't work out. But performing well in Test cricket is high on my agenda."

While Babar admits he feels very comfortable batting in UAE conditions, he says his incredible form is more down to his work ethic than anything else.

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"It can be said that the UAE is my favourite place but more than that I simply try to give my 100 per cent wherever I play," he said. "Unfortunately, this has become our home ground and so we've gotten used to the conditions, but I've worked very hard to get here. I believe the harder I work, the better the results will be."

Azam also credited veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik for playing a massive role in his development.

"I've learnt a lot from Shoaib Malik and I still do — not just on the field but off it as well," he said. "He always shares from his wealth of experience, and whenever I bat with him I feel very relaxed because he never lets me feel any pressure."