AFG vs PAK: "What Babar Azam Has Done For Pakistan Is..." - Rashid Latif Makes Big Statement Ahead Of Asia Cup

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif showered praise on Babar Azam and said that the Men In Green captain’s contributions to the team over the years are a sign of his greatness.

Babar Azam is currently leading Pakistan in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka. Currently, they have a 1-0 lead in the series. After the series against the Afghans, Pakistan will take part in the Asia Cup 2023 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Rashid Latif said that Babar Azam has scored consistently since becoming the captain and has proved his doubters wrong. He added that Babar has shown enormous growth as a leader and has learned from his mistakes. He elaborated:

“What Babar has done for Pakistan is a sign of a great player. He has scored runs with great consistency. When he took over the captaincy, many stated that there would be a dip in his performance. However, he was about to double and triple it. He has matured as a captain. He is no longer weak with the team selection. He is not the same Babar that he was two years ago. He learned from his mistakes.”

I believe his ODI career will start after the World Cup – Rashid Latif on Mohammad Haris

Latif also spoke about the wicketkeeper-batters Mohammad Haris and Sarfaraz Khan. The 54-year-old said that Haris is a wonderful talent and a dangerous batter in the powerplay, but his ODI career will only begin after the World Cup.

Rashid Latif opined that former Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed should have been the second wicketkeeper-batter in the Asia Cup squad after Mohammad Rizwan.

“Mohammad Haris is a wonderful player and has done well in T20 cricket. He is a very dangerous player in the powerplay. However, I believe his ODI career will start after the World Cup. Yes, he could succeed here too, but Sarfaraz is a very experienced player and should have been in the squad. You sideline a player so easily and bring a new guy in his place,” he said.