{"id":10919,"date":"2023-10-05T00:57:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T00:57:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/biryani-on-plate-and-boundary-length-on-mind-for-babar-azam-2\/"},"modified":"2023-10-05T00:57:04","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T00:57:04","slug":"biryani-on-plate-and-boundary-length-on-mind-for-babar-azam-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/biryani-on-plate-and-boundary-length-on-mind-for-babar-azam-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Biryani on plate and boundary length on mind for Babar Azam"},"content":{"rendered":"
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AHMEDABAD: The biryani in Hyderabad has lived up to Babar Azam\u2019s expectations but the Pakistan captain is worried the contest between bat and ball at the 50-overs World Cup may not be as spicy because of short boundaries in most Indian venues.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Babar\u2019s men were accorded a warm welcome in Hyderabad in what is their first tour of India since the T20 World Cup in 2016.<\/p>\n

Bilateral cricket remains suspended between India and Pakistan due to soured political relationship, and the bitter neighbours play each other only in multi-team events.<\/p>\n

Babar Azam and his team mates were surprised by the support they received since landing in Hyderabad, where they played both their warm-up matches.<\/p>\n

They will launch their bid for a second 50-overs World Cup title at the same southern Indian city against the Netherlands on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the hospitality has been quite nice \u2013 we were not expecting this,\u201d Babar Azam said during his pre-tournament media interaction along with nine other captains on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a week in Hyderabad, and it is not like we are in India. It is like we are at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Pakistan support staff member took to social media to praise Hyderabad\u2019s famous biryani and, after one of the warm-up matches, all-rounder Shadab Khan quipped gorging regularly on biryani had rendered them slower on the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had heard a lot about Hyderabadi biryani and we loved it,\u201d Babar, currently the top-ranked ODI batter, said in his appreciation of the popular dish.<\/p>\n

Read More: VIRAL: Jos Buttler asks Babar Azam to translate what Rohit Sharma said<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

He was less impressed by the short boundaries at some Indian venues though, which, he feared, might reduce bowlers to cannon-fodder over the next six weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe boundaries are small. There is no margin for the bowlers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the bowling is a little bit off, the batsman utilises it. So, there will be high scores.\u201d<\/p>\n

Babar\u2019s concerns are understandable considering Pakistan\u2019s bowling lost considerable sting after speedster Naseem Shah was ruled out of the World Cup with a shoulder injury.<\/p>\n

Babar Azam still had high expectations from his bowling unit led by left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s more or less the same team playing the last three years together, and I think bowling remains our strength,\u201d added Babar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n