Shaheen Shah Afridi: “He is the best player in the world”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has ranked batsman Babar Azam above everyone else, calling him the “best player in the world.”
Azam has achieved so many incredible milestones throughout his international career and is slowly starting to get back to his best after going through a tough time with the bat.
During Pakistan’s home series against South Africa, he amassed 131 runs in two Tests, which included a top score of 50, at an average of 32.75.
He then made his T20I comeback and put up solid numbers as he struck 79 runs in three matches, which included a top score of 68, at an average of 39.50 and a strike-rate of 117.91.
After that came three ODIs, where Azam ended up making 45 runs at an average of 15.
Once the South Africa series ended, Pakistan played three ODIs against Sri Lanka and Azam was the star of the show as he accumulated 165 runs, which included his first international century since August 2023, at an average of 82.50.
The Lahore native then found himself involved in a T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, where he finished with 127 runs in five games, which included a top score of 74, at an average of 31.75 and a strike-rate of 112.38.
Azam is now representing the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL), and has scored 131 runs in six matches, which includes two fifties, at an average of 26.20 and a strike-rate of 111.96.
“He is the best player in the world,” Afridi was quoted as saying by Samaa TV.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a tour of Sri Lanka, which will consist of three T20Is that will be held in Dambulla from January 7 to 11.
Pakistan Squad for Sri Lanka T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq