Shane Watson: “Babar Azam just doesn’t have an extra gear to score big runs in one over. His strike-rate is 128 which is quite low as compared to the likes of Rohit Sharma and Jos Buttler”
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Ex-Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has admitted that Pakistan batsman Babar Azam lacks “an extra gear to score big runs in one over”.
Shahid Afridi: “During Deccan Chargers practice sessions, I watched him bat and his class impressed me. I knew one day Rohit would play for India – and he has proved himself as a classy batter”
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Legendary Pakistan six-hitter Shahid Afridi said he always knew that big-hitting opener Rohit Sharma would go on to play for India.
Abdur Rauf: “he has lost pace – now bowling around 134-135 kph – and isn’t swinging the ball as effectively. His bowling action has also changed post-injury, affecting his ability to take early wickets with the new ball”
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Former Pakistan pace bowler Abdur Rauf said left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi has seen his pace drop from 145 kph to around 135 kph.
Salman Butt: “Babar topped the ICC T20I rankings for three years and remains Pakistan’s highest run-getter in the format. On the global stage, he’s only behind Rohit Sharma, by a small margin. That kind of consistency deserves respect”
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Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt sees batsman Babar Azam earning a recall in T20Is due to his ability to score runs regularly.
Mohammad Amir: “It’s easier to dismiss Rohit Sharma than to dismiss Babar Azam because Rohit plays aggressively and gives you chances as a bowler”
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Pakistan left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir finds it tougher to dismiss Babar Azam than India captain Rohit Sharma.
Abdur Rauf: “Babar Azam, when in form, is exceptional. But personally, my favourite batsman is Rohit Sharma. I believe Rohit is currently the best batsman in world cricket. He is way better than Virat and Babar”
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Former Pakistan fast bowler Abdur Rauf believes India captain Rohit Sharma is a “way better” batsman than Babar Azam and Virat Kohli.
Fakhar Zaman: “In my opinion, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma will be important players for India in the upcoming tournament”
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Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman believes the India trio of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya will pose a big threat in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Sohaib Maqsood: “Rohit Sharma has scored 35 international centuries after crossing the age of 30 so keep calm Babar Azam’s prime [is] still to come”
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Pakistan big-hitter Sohaib Maqsood believes star batsman Babar Azam has yet to hit his prime.
Salman Butt: “The strike-rate mafia and intent mafia are basically illiterates of cricket. They have no idea about the format they are talking about”
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Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt said the national team is suffering at the hands of the “strike-rate mafia and intent mafia”.
Babar Azam: “The best thing I like about Virat, Rohit and Kane is how they get the team out of difficult situations and score runs against tough bowling. This is what I try to learn from them”
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Pakistan limited overs captain Babar Azam said he is learning from New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and the India batting duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
