Brilliant Babar pumped up for ‘high intensity’ clash

Brimming with confidence, Babar Azam and Co reached Sri Lanka yesterday for Saturday's blockbuster showdown against arch-rivals India.

Babar led from the front to kick off their campaign with a comprehensive victory against Nepal on Wednesday and Pakistan skipper said the victory gave them confidence ahead of the vital clash.

"India-Pakistan will always bring high intensity. We want to give 100 percent in every match, hope to do that there as well," said the prolific right-hander, who made a masterly 151 off 131 deliveries during their 238-run victory against Nepal, their third-highest in ODI.

After his 19th ODI hundred against Nepal, Babar is now just one century away from equalling Saeed Anwar's record of 20 ODI centuries - the most by any player from Pakistan. Will the stylish batter be able to reach another milestone for his country when they meet India?Although Babar has mostly featured at the key number three position but, given his form which is in stark contrast to that of opener Fakhar Zaman's -- who averages below 20 in last seven ODI appearances -- the Pakistan think-tank could ponder on enabling him to play maximum deliveries as an opener. Former cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja said that sidelining Fakhar for the India encounter could prove to be beneficial for the 2012 champions.

"His [Fakhar] body language is suffering, and Pakistan need an in-form opener. If Imam also gets dismissed cheaply, it creates pressure. Pakistan need to assess Fakhar," said Raja on his YouTube channel.

I believe they should rest him, give him some time out. Sidelining him is better for him as well as the Pakistan side. He's a good player, Pakistan has given him chances. But against India, with the form that he has, that chance is not worth being taken."

LIST OF RECORDS BABAR ACHIEVED WITH CENTURY AGAINST NEPAL

** He became the quickest player in the history to score 19 ODI centuries (102 games), surpassing South Africa's Hashim Amla who achieved the feat in 104 matches.

**The 151 was the second highest score achieved at the Asia Cup, only bettered by Virat Kohli's 183 against Pakistan in 2012.

**It was the first time a captain has scored 150 or greater at an Asia Cup, beating the previous best from a skipper when Kohli compiled 136 against Bangladesh in 2014.

**The innings boosted Babar's ODI average to an astonishing 59.47, which is the fourth highest of all time in men's ODI cricket and the best of any player with a minimum of 2000 ODI runs

**It was Babar's 31st international century, drawing him level with Pakistan legends Javed Miandad and Saeed Anwar with Younis Khan (41), Mohammad Yousuf (39) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (35) the only players from the country in front of him.