Shoaib Akhtar on Babar Azam: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has read ballads in praise of the current captain of the team, Babar Azam. Taking a U-turn from his statements against Babar Azam, he has praised him fiercely. Shoaib Akhtar says that Babar Azam will score more centuries than Virat Kohli in international cricket. Although Shoaib Akhtar is among those people of Pakistan who have been criticizing Babar Azam. Some time ago, Shoaib had demanded the removal of Babar Azam from the captaincy.
Shoaib praised Babar
Talking to Sports Tak, Shoaib Akhtar said, ‘Babar Azam is getting criticized a lot. He was earlier a classic batsman. Then you asked him to improve the strike rate. He is working on it. Top batsman in all formats. What else you need?’ Shoaib Akhtar believes that Babar Azam is in the early stages of his career. He will get better in strike rate and consistency with time.
Babar can reach equal to Virat
At present, Babar Azam is often compared to Virat Kohli. Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar believes, ‘Babar has the potential to create records similar to Kohli in the next 10 years.’ He said, ‘Babar is important for Pakistan and if he plays well for 10 years, he will come close to Virat Kohli’s record. Criticizing him is utter nonsense.
Shoaib was in favor of removing Babar
Even though Shoaib Akhtar is reciting ballads in praise of Babar Azam. But it is the same Shoaib Akhtar who last month demanded the removal of Babar Azam from the captaincy. In February, Shoaib Akhtar, quoting Cricket Pakistan, had said that Shadab Khan should be made the captain of the team in limited overs. Then he had said, ‘Shadab is a very smart boy when it comes to cricket skills. He wants to improve, which is a great thing. He is ready to admit his mistakes and rectify them. He has worked really hard on his bowling in the last two years. His fitness has also improved. He wants to look good and speak well. He is not a bad option for captaincy for Pakistan in limited overs cricket in the times to come.
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