IND vs PAK: Babar Azam Reacts To His Battle With Suryakumar Yadav For The ICC No.1 Ranking Ahead Of Ind-Pak T20 WC Game

Updated - 14 Oct 2022, 12:24 PM

Babar Azam
Babar Azam. Pic Credits: Twitter

Suryakumar Yadav has been in outstanding form lately, which has helped him move up significantly in the ICC T20 rankings. Babar Azam, the skipper, applauded Surya after Pakistan’s Mohammed Rizwan had praised the Indian middle-order batsman.

Babar was questioned about the competition for the top spot in ICC T20 batting after Pakistan’s match against Bangladesh in the ongoing Tri-series in Christchurch. Babar acknowledged that while the players’ confidence is greatly boosted by the rankings, the most important factor is the team’s success.

Suryakumar Yadav. PC- AP
Suryakumar Yadav. PC- AP

Three teams have been competing for the top spot in the ICC world ranking in the T20I format over the past few months in international cricket. Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, had previously held the top position for more than 100 days before Mohammad Rizwan, his teammate and opening partner, ascended to the position.

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan. PC- AFP-Getty
Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan. PC- AFP-Getty

However, Suryakumar Yadav, who is competing with the Indian batter for the top spot, has put the two Pakistani batters in danger. Rizwan began discussing his competition with Suryakumar for the No. 1 spot earlier last week, and on Thursday, Babar weighed in on the three-way contest.

“Rankings are a major boost for a cricketer”: Babar Azam

Babar was questioned about the competition for the top spot in the T20I rankings after Pakistan’s convincing victory over Bangladesh in the ongoing tri-series in Christchurch. Babar acknowledged that while the top spot is almost a pipe dream for most batters, the rankings are a major boost for a cricketer on an individual level and that the team’s success still comes first.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Pic Credits: Twitter

“Dekhiye main as an individual baat nehin kar sakta, aur baat karna bhi nehin chahiye kyunki team first. Koshish yehi rehti hain ki team ko pehle jitaya jae. Ranking aapko always confidence deti hain. Aap jab top main aate hain woh ek dream hota hain aur jab woh aap achieve karte he toh woh ek relief milta hain,” Babar Azam said.

Md. Rizwan of Pakistan, who has 853 points, is still in the first place. Suryakumar, who has 838 points, comes in second, and Babar, who is in third place, has 808 points.

Also Read: Inside In My Heart I Always Wanted To Play Like Sachin Tendulkar But Realised His Style Was Different – MS Dhoni

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ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 ICC T20 World Cup 2022 IND vs PAK 2022 India National Cricket Team India vs Pakistan 2022 Mohammad Rizwan Pakistan National Criket Team Suryakumar Yadav