IND vs PAK: AB De Villiers Picks Virat Kohli And Babar Azam As Top Contenders For Leading Run-Getters in Asia Cup

Former South African skipper AB De Villiers has backed Virat Kohli and Babar Azam to get the most runs in the ongoing Asia Cup. India will start their campaign against Pakistan on September 2 in Pallekele. There are high chances of rain playing spoilsport in the big game.

Babar Azam has already scored a 151 in Pakistan’s first game against Nepal. They piled up a mammoth 342/6 and bowled out Nepal for just 104 winning the match by 238 runs in the process.

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AB De Villiers Chooses Virat Kohli & Babar Azam As Potential Top Run-Getters

Babar does not have a good record against India, scoring just 158 runs at an average of 31.60 in five games. Kohli, on the other hand, averages 48.73 scoring 536 runs in 13 games including two hundreds and two fifties.

“My favorites for Asia Cup definitely Virat and Babar. I haven’t seen a lot of the Sri Lankans or other players in incredible form. That’s where Virat and Babar are different. When they score runs, they score 130s-150s. They really knuckle down. I think we would see their names up there and I would be pleasantly surprised to see someone else up there,” De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

He further said that the leading run-scorer for the World Cup will depend on the form of the players heading into the tournament.

“It’s a tough one. I am not really sure. There are a lot of guys that can do it. We look at guys who are in form – Babar, Kane Williamson. Obviously, Virat will be up there somewhere along the line. Virat absolutely loves 50-over cricket. His name will be up there for sure,” De Villiers added further.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper was the leading run-getter in the 2019 World Cup scoring 648 runs in nine matches at an average of 81, with five hundreds. He will lead the side in this Asia Cup followed by the World Cup at home.

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