PAK vs ENG: Babar Azam Replicates Virat Kohli's Chasing Ability: Shoaib Akhtar On Pakistan Skipper After Scoring Century

Babar Azam played a brilliant knock of 110 runs off 66 balls including 11 fours and 5 sixes with a strike rate of 166 and made an opening partnership of 203 with Mohammad Rizwan (88*) to guide Pakistan to win and levelled the ongoing T20I series.

Wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan also played an important role in Pakistan’s victory. Rizwan scored 88 runs in 51 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes. Shoaib Akhtar praised the Pakistan skipper after his unbeaten century in the second T20 against England in the second T20I of the seven-match series at the Karachi National Stadium. 

Babar Azam has been criticized for his poor form and low strike rate. The Pakistan captain managed to score only 68 runs in 6 matches in the recently concluded Asia Cup, but showed glimpses of form in the first T20I in Karachi.

Babar Azam Elegance And Shot Selection Are Class – Shoaib Akhtar

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shoaib Akhtar revealed what Babar Azam learned from the former Indian captain Virat Kohli after the important win. He compares the approach of chasing high scores to the star Indian batsmen.

“I think hats off to the chase. The chasing template, at one point, was Virat Kohli’s great characteristic. Babar has replicated it and shown it. Babar’s class is far better than anyone else in this world.

“His elegance and shot selection are all class and if his strike rate goes above 150-160, then he becomes something else. And when he does that, Pakistan win games,” Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

Babar Azam Has Shown Why He Is The No. 1 Player In The World – Shoaib Akhtar

The former Pakistan fast bowler said that Babar Azam has proved why he is the world’s No. 1 player in the world and if he keeps playing like this, Pakistan will win matches easily.

“This is what Pakistan requires. The run rate and the strike rate. Our openers, especially Babar Azam has shown why he is the No. 1 player in the world. When he scores at a good strike rate, it becomes easier for Rizwan. They complement each other. But again, I keep stressing about the strike rate because it’s very important.”

“Both the openers scored at over 160. I understand that it’s not possible to maintain this kind of strike rate in every game but make sure you keep up with the required rate. And when you get out, you should not leave the other guys with an asking rate of 11 or 13.

“Having said that, Babar is one of the greatest players. When he is on the song, I think he is amazing,” he added.

On Friday, September 23, Pakistan will play the third match in a seven-match T20I series against England at Nation Stadium Karachi.

Also read: PAK vs ENG: Coach Saqlain Mushtaq Is Like Father, Captain Babar Azam Brother – Mohammad Rizwan