Sarfraz Ahmed: “It is so pleasing to see Babar develop into one of the world’s best”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed firmly believes that Babar Azam is “one of the world’s best” batsmen.

Sarfraz’s comments come after Azam played an instrumental role in leading Pakistan to a 14-run win over England in their World Cup clash against England in Nottingham on Monday.

Azam scored 63 off 66 deliveries in the match, but Sarfraz also heaped praise on all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who was named Man of the Match for his 62-ball 84 and taking the wicket of England captain Eoin Morgan.

Pakistan’s victory over England not only helped them bounce back from their seven-wicket loss to the West Indies, but it also snapped their 11-game losing streak in ODIs.

“Hafeez showed there is no substitute to experience. He not only controlled and paced his innings to perfection, he rotated the strike with Babar and punished the loose deliveries,” Sarfraz was quoted as saying by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s website. “It is so pleasing to see Babar develop into one of the world’s best, and I am sure the time he spent with Hafeez out in the middle would have given him more confidence and knowledge about the art of batting in big matches.

“Hafeez not only enabled us to reach a total we were convinced we could defend, he also claimed the important wicket of Eoin Morgan with a peach of a delivery. If Hafeez maintains this form and Babar continues to show his flair to build on the solid starts provided by the openers, this Pakistan team will go a long way in the tournament.”

Pakistan’s next World Cup match will be against Sri Lanka in Bristol on Friday.

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