Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam has credited team director Mickey Arthur and wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed for his development in international cricket.

The prolific runs-getter for the Men in Green shared his cricketing journey with the Pakistan Cricket Board ahead of his milestone ODI game against New Zealand on Sunday.

“I want to mention Mickey [Arthur] as he played an integral role in my transformation,” he told PCB ahead of his 100th ODI game.

“As a cricketer, there’s a feeling that if you are not up to the mark, you might get dropped from the side, but he gave me the confidence,” Babar said. “He asked me to give my best to the side and not worry about getting axed from the side and that helped me a great deal. He did not only do it with me but with every player in the side and that is why we have eight to nine players in the side currently from that lot.”

Moreover, he credited former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed for his leadership development. “The first year was a little overwhelming as there were a lot of things to deal with simultaneously as a Pakistan captain.”

“But, I learned how to manage that. I also learned a lot from how Saifi bhai [Sarfaraz Ahmed] managed the team,” he said. I used to see his demeanour on and off the field and used to ask him questions that helped me.“

It is worth mentioning here that he became the first Pakistan captain to lead the side to the number one ODI rankings. His side achieved this feat against New Zealand on Friday when they handed the visitors a 102-run defeat in Karachi.

The fifth and final match of the series will be played at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.