In a surprising turn of events, former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim made a bold choice when asked to compare the all-format batting skills of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. Wasim threw his support behind the Pakistani star, expressing that Babar Azam is a source of pride for the nation and an exceptional player.
The ongoing debate regarding the supremacy between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, both highly esteemed in the cricketing world, has sparked discussions over the years. Despite the comparisons, both batsmen have achieved remarkable feats in their careers and continue to make significant contributions to the sport.
Virat Kohli Or Babar Azam? Imad Wasim Named His Favorite Player
Over the past decade, Virat Kohli has shouldered the responsibility of leading the Indian batting lineup across all three formats, establishing himself as arguably the best of our generation. Recently, he achieved a significant milestone by breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI centuries, completing an impressive tally of 50 tons in the format, and etching his name in the record books. Kohli’s consistent contributions to the Indian Cricket Team across all formats have been remarkable. Despite facing a lean patch at one point, his exceptional comeback showcases his resilience, and he is currently back in top form, consistently amassing runs.
On the other hand, Babar Azam has evolved into one of Pakistan’s premier batters, showcasing remarkable consistency throughout his career. His ability to deliver across all three formats has been a standout feature. His team relies heavily on him for significant contributions, highlighting his importance to the side.
Amidst the ongoing debate comparing Babar Azam and Virat Kohli, Imad Wasim was posed with the choice between the two. He voiced his support for the Pakistani batter, emphasizing Babar Azam’s contribution to the team with dignity and pride. In an interview with local news, Imad Wasim elaborated on his preference. He said:
“I would go Babar Azam. He’s our nation’s pride. We can criticise him, we can say things about him in the right way that he becomes an amazing player. But, he has served Pakistan with dignity & pride for a long time. He’s our pride “
In the recent T20I series against New Zealand, Pakistan tried a new opening pair with Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan. Babar Azam was moved down the order. Imad Wasim suggests giving time and support to the new pair, stating that Pakistan has 12 T20Is before the World Cup.
If the duo doesn’t perform well, he proposes Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan opening in the World Cup. Wasim encourages patience and backing for the new opening combination. He said:
“Look, they’re still new. You can’t judge them based on three, two, three, four games. If you want to change the opening stand, give them a fair run. The thing is, we’re in a different situation because I think we have 12 T20s leading into the World Cup. They need to do it quickly. I believe they should have given, because Babar and Rizwan are already set. You can take them straight away into the World Cup opening if other fails.”
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have formed a highly successful opening partnership in T20Is, accumulating 2452 runs with an impressive average of 50.04.
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