The India vs Pakistan encounter in the Asia Cup 2023 will see a couple of exciting in-match battles as well. In the batting department, it will be Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam, and in the bowling department, it will be Jasprit Bumrah vs Shaheen Afridi.
Who will come on top in the individual battles of Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam? Wasim Akram shocks everyone
Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram stunned the Pakistani fans by picking Virat Kohli over Babar Azam!
In a video for Star Sports ahead of the mouth-watering clash in Kandy, Wasim Akram was asked to pick between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. The Pakistani fans would have expected the former fast bowler to go with Babar, however, Akram went with Virat Kohli as a better batsman with a bigger legacy.
Wasim Akram explained his choice by stating that Babar Azam is still on the rise, while Virat Kohli has already cemented his legacy in world cricket. Akram, however, also said that Babar will “catch up” with Kohli in the coming years.
“It is a very difficult decision, that is why I don’t become a selector. I’ll probably get a lot of slack back home, but I will definitely pick Virat Kohli over Babar Azam. Babar is on the way, there is no doubt. He is one of the modern greats, but it will take some time. He will catch up, but it will take time,” Akram said.
For the Shaheen Afridi vs Jasprit Bumrah battle, Wasim Akram had no doubts in picking the spearhead Pakistani pace sensation over India’s pace bowling leader. Bumrah has only recently returned in T20Is after a gap of 11 months in Ireland and this will be his first ODI since July 2022. Shaheen started the Asia Cup with 2 wickets in his first over against Nepal.
“I will choose Shaheen Shah Afridi over Jasprit Bumrah. Being a left-arm pacer, he reminds me of Starc, both of them bowl early on and they pitch it full and go for the wickets. That is what I like about him. He has got a bright future ahead of him as long as he is clear of serious injuries. He has improved his batting as well at No.9 and No.10, he can come in and whack a couple of sixes. He is a genuine wicket taker and that is why I believe that he is one of the most important members of the team,” Akram continued.
