Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar defended Pakistan’s team captain Babar Azam in a conversation with the former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh on his latter’s YouTube channel.
The retired players got engaged in a debate centered around the comparison between Virat Kohli and Azam’s similarities and abilities.
The former Indian spinner argued that Virat is already an all-time great while Babar still has a long way to go. But, as the 42-year-old acknowledged Azam’s abilities and his greatness in Test cricket, Harbhajan was not shy to admit that the shorter format doesn’t suit the Pakistani skipper.
“Virat Kohli has established himself as a great, while Babar Azam still has a lot to do. He will reach there someday, as he is a wonderful player,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
“He is very good in Test cricket, but maybe T20 doesn’t suit him a lot.”
The Rawalpindi Express, who joined the Indian on his YouTube channel, had the same views as the 42-year-old on Babar vs Virat comparison. But the former pacer defended Azam on the criticism he often faces in T20 Cricket saying he is working hard to improve his game.
"Virat Kohli is the greatest, and Babar Azam is in the process of becoming the greatest batsman ever. He is striving to improve in T20s. People criticise him without valid reasons," Akhtar said.
Babar vs Kohli is one the most discussed topic in the cricket world. While many believe that the Pakistani is already on or above the Indian who has scored 75 centuries in international cricket, others argue that Azam can surely reach the heights touched by Virat should he continue his splendid form.
It must be noted that the most anticipated match of the World Cup will be played between India and Pakistan on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the biggest stadium in the world that can gather as many as 132,000 spectators.
Here is Pakistan's schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023:
October 6 - vs Qualifier 1 in Hyderabad
October 12 - vs Qualifier 2 in Hyderabad
October 15 - vs India in Ahmedabad
October 20 - vs Australia in Bengaluru
October 23 - vs Afghanistan in Chennai
October 27 - vs South Africa in Chennai
October 31 - vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
November 4 - vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
November 12 - vs England in Kolkata
The day match will start at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 01:30 pm (PST).
- Babar Azam