Tag: Babar Azam

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli spoke highly of Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam, and termed him “the top batsman in the world”.

Virat Kohli shared his first encounter in Manchester with Babar Azam when Imad Wasim introduced Babar to Kohli.

“The first interaction I had with him [Babar] was during the 2019 [ODI] World Cup after the game in Manchester. I’ve known Imad [Wasim] since the Under-19 World Cup, and he said Babar wanted to have a chat,” Kohli said.

He further talked about the meeting and the friendship they shared since that first meeting.

“I saw a lot of regard and respect from him from day one, and that hasn’t changed,” he added.

Kohli then termed Babar as the top batter across the globe and claimed that he enjoys watching Babar play.

“He is so down to earth character, he will go a long way as a player. He is probably the top batsman right now across all formats. He performs so consistently and I’ve always enjoyed watching him play.”

Babar Azam is currently sitting at the top of the ODI batting ranking, the position which was once held by Virat Kohli. Both batters are celebrated across the globe as the best batters of this era.

However, despite the comparison and debates regarding who is better, the cricketers always displayed mutual respect for each other.

Last year, in July Babar came out in support of Virat with a motivating tweet, “This too shall pass. Stay strong” and received an overwhelming response from the cricket fans.

Virat, also responded to Babar’s supportive tweet for him in a challenging phase of his career, while also wishing latter the luck. “Thank you. Keep shining and rising. Wish you all the best,” Virat replied to Babar in his tweet.

They will come face to face in the Asia Cup, when Pakistan and India will collide at Kandy on September 2.

The Asia Cup is scheduled to treat the fans with as many as three India-Pakistan games if both teams reach the final.

The arch-rivals will also feature in the most anticipated clash of the ODI World Cup at Narendra Modi Stadium on October 14.

South African left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has defended Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who is often criticised for his performance against left-arm spinners.

Tabraiz Shamsi in a recent interview showered praises on Babar Azam for averaging fifty in international cricket, while being labelled as weak.

“Well if people are saying that he [Babar] is weak and he’s averaging fifty, I wouldn’t like to see him when he’s not weak,” he said.

He called Babar Azam a ‘world-class player’ and stressed the fact that maintaining an average of fifty is not an easy feat in international cricket.

“He’s a world-class player, it’s not a joke averaging fifty in International cricket, so I think those kinds of things that people are saying it’s uncalled for,” Shamsi said.

He further added: “He’s obviously a class player and yeah at any given day any bowler can get any batsman out, and at any given day any batsman can make a hundred, so anybody that is playing at that level is very good, so I think we need to appreciate that.”

Recently, Afghaistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who is playing for Jaffna Kings in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL), has also voiced the same kind of sentiments for Babar Azam.

“Babar is the favourite player of most of the young fans, even for me. I like the way he bats, everyone likes his way of batting, and I can say he is a legend right now,” he said.

Notably, Babar Azam, who is currently representing Colombo Strikers in the LPL, has been in stellar form in the tournament. He is the highest run-scorer in the tournament, amassing 235 runs in five games, maintaining an impressive average of 47.00 and strike rate of 143.29.

He showed his impressive batting prowess in his innings of 104 off 59 deliveries against Tabraiz Shamsi’s Galle Titans. Babar’s remarkable century was laced with eight fours and five sixes, at a strike rate of 176.27.

Meanwhile, Tabraiz Shamsi has managed to pick up five wickets in as many games, at an average of 31.40.

READ: Shakib Al Hasan named Bangladesh captain for Asia Cup, ICC World Cup

Afghanistan’s hard-hitting opener batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz spoke highly of Pakistan’s all-format captain and star batter Babar Azam, calling him a legend of the game right now.

Gurbaz, who is currently representing Jaffna Kings in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL), stated that Babar is beloved by most of the young fans around the world and he, himself likes the way he bats before terming Pakistan captain a legend.

“Babar is the favourite player of most of the young fans, even for me. I like the way he bats, everyone likes his way of batting, and I can say he is a legend right now,” said Gurbaz.

Gurbaz’s remarks about Babar Azam came after their sides, Jaffna Kings and Colombo Strikers respectively, came face to face in the 13th fixture of the LPL 2023.

Notably, Babar Azam is currently the leading run-scorer of the ongoing edition of the Sri Lankan league with 235 runs in five matches including a century.

Gurbaz also mentioned that his younger brother Masood Gurbaz, an emerging wicketkeeper batter, is a huge fan of Babar Azam and has asked him to bring his shirt.

“He loves Babar so much, and he tries to bat the way Babar does,” revealed Gurbaz.

“He asked me to bring one shirt from Babar,” he added.

Notably, Masood, in an interview in Kabul revealed Babar Azam as his favourite cricketer.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is also part of the Afghanistan squad to face Pakistan in the ODI series in Sri Lanka later this month.

Talking about the series, Gurbaz said: “The series against Pakistan is in ODI format, which is a whole different situation, I try my best to be aggressive wherever I play but it all comes down to the situation and team requirement.”

Pakistan and Afghanistan are scheduled to play the first bilateral ODI series against each other.

Prior to that, they faced each other four times in international tournaments — Asia Cup and World Cup — with Pakistan emerging triumphant each time.

The three-match ODI series is scheduled to be played on August 22, 24 and 26. The first two games will take place at Hambantota, while the third game will be played in Colombo.

READ: Afghanistan name squad for Pakistan ODIs

PALLEKELE: Babar Azam scored his maiden Lanka Premier League (LPL) century and powered Colombo Strikers to a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Galle Titans.

Set to chase a massive 189, the Strikers completed the pursuit on the penultimate delivery for the loss of three wickets, courtesy of a sensational century by Babar Azam.

Strikers’ openers Babar and Pathum Nissanka scripted a solid start to the pursuit as they added 111 runs before Tabraiz Shamsi drew a much-needed breakthrough for the Titans by dismissing Nissanka.

Nissanka scored an anchoring 54 off 40 deliveries, laced up with five boundaries and a six.

Babar Azam was then joined by Nuwanidu Fernando at the crease and the pair knitted a vital 55-run partnership for the second wicket.

The second-wicket stand was massively dominated by Babar while Fernando batted cautiously before falling to Shamsi in the 18th over. He could score eight off 13.

Despite Babar Azam’s blitz, the high-scoring encounter came right down to the wire with the Strikers needing 14 off the final over.

Kasun Rajitha, set to defend 14, bowled a fuller delivery outside off and Babar Azam holed it straight to the long-off fielder.

He smashed eight boundaries and five sixes on his way to a 59-ball 104.

The Strikers, with their mainstay back in the hut, looked in deep trouble but Mohammad Nawaz smashed Rajitha for a six and a boundary to seal the deal for the Strikers with one ball to spare.

Shamsi led the bowling attack for the Titans with 2/27 while Rajitha made one scalp.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, the Titans put on a commendable total of 188/3 in the allotted 20 overs at the back of a brilliant half-century by Tim Seifert and opening batter Shevon Daniel’s 49.

Seifert top-scored for the Titans with an unbeaten 54 off 35 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. Whereas, Daniel scored 49 from 31 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and two sixes.

Besides them, Lasith Croospulle (36 off 19) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (30 off 31) made notable contributions.

For the Strikers, Naseem Shah, Ramesh Mendis and  Lakshan Sandakan picked up one wicket apiece.

A close seven-wicket victory lifted Colombo Strikers to the third in the LPL standings with four points in as many matches while the Titans remained at the second spot due to a superior net run rate.

READ: Inzamam-ul-Haq named Pakistan team’s chief selector for second time

Pakistan captain Babar Azam jumped a spot to claim the fourth position in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Test Batting Rankings.

Babar, who could score just 76 runs in the recently-concluded two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, got a fortunate push in the rankings.

His fortunate promotion was a result of the demotion of Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head.

Labuschagne and Head were far from their best in the recently-concluded Ashes and their inability to score big in the five-match series, saw them losing crucial rating points.

Consequently, Labuschagne slipped three spots to fifth while Head was demoted two spots to the sixth position.

Last week, Babar Azam slipped to the fifth position after a below-par performance in the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s hero with the bat in the second Test against Sri Lanka Abdullah Shafique got the reward for his heroics as he rose 27 spots to 21st.

Whereas, Pakistan’s first Test hero Saud Shakeel remained at 15th position with a career-best 705 rating points.

Pakistan bowlers were also rewarded as Shaheen Shah Afridi, who made six scalps in two Tests against Sri Lanka, jumped three positions to sixth while his pace partner Naseem Shah climbed up seven spots to equal 37th.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s star with the ball in the second Sri Lanka Test Nauman Ali enjoyed a massive surge as he improved 13 places to 42nd — the most notable among improvers.

England produced a strong fightback during the second half of the series to tie the Ashes at 2-2 and a host of their best performers were rewarded on the updated ICC rankings lists.

Former skipper Joe Root rises one spot to second on the Test batter rankings with New Zealand veteran Kane Williamson the only player in front of him, while young teammate Harry Brook jumps two places to ninth and a new career-high rating following his 363 runs for the series.

Compatriots Jonny Bairstow (up two places to 17th) and Zak Crawley (up six rungs to equal 29th) also make some ground on the list for batters, while experienced duo Steve Smith (up three places to third) and Usman Khawaja (up one place to seventh) are the Australian players to climb the standings.

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COLOMBO: Babar Azam’s half-century followed by Naseem Shah’s 2/19 led Colombo Strikers to a comfortable 27-run victory over B-Love Kandy in the third match of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL).

The victory marked the Colombo Strikers’ first in this edition of the LPL as they recovered from a 21-run defeat in the opening match against defending champions Jaffna Kings.

Opting to bat first, the home side accumulated 157/6 in the allotted 20 overs at the back of an anchoring half-century by Babar Azam.

The Strikers got off to a shaky start to their innings as they lost two wickets inside the powerplay with just 33 runs on the board.

Star batter Babar Azam batted sensibly and knitted an anchoring partnership with Nuwanidu Fernando for the third wicket.

The pair added 60 runs to the total but conceded 55 deliveries in the process and Fernando, consequently, made a desperate effort to go big but ended up handing a straightforward catch to Mohammad Hasnain.

READ: Hridoy-led Jaffna Kings thump Colombo Strikers in LPL opener

He remained the notable run-getter for the Strikers with 28 off 31 deliveries, hitting two boundaries and a six.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam stood his ground firm and stitched Dhananjaya Lakshan (12) before finally perishing in the penultimate over.

He top-scored for the Strikers with a 52-ball 59 which included four boundaries and a six.

Isuru Udana led the bowling attack for the B-Love Kandy with 3/39, followed by Mohammad Hasnain’s 2/27.

In response, B-Love Kandy’s batting lineup failed against a disciplined Strikers’ bowling attack and could only raise 130/8.

The visitors after a dismal start, lost wickets at regular intervals which eventually halted the flow of runs.

Angelo Mathews (25 off 22) remained the top-scorer for B-Love Kandy amid their dismal show with the bat, followed by Sarfaraz Ahmed, who could score an unbeaten 16 from 21 deliveries.

Their maiden victory in this year’s LPL lifted Colombo Strikers to claim the second position in the points table while B-Love Kandy sank to the bottom.

ALSO READ: Pakistan to play ODI series against Afghanistan ahead of Asia Cup

COLOMBO: Towhid Hridoy’s half-century, followed by a combined effort from the bowlers led Jaffna Kings to a thumping 21-run victory over Colombo Strikers in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) curtain-raiser on Sunday.

The defending champions Kings scripted a solid start to their LPL campaign with a resounding victory over last edition’s runners-up.

Put into bat first, the Kings registered a commendable total on the board as Towhid Hridoy’s half-century bolstered them to 173/5 in the allotted 20 overs.

Hridoy top-scored for the Kings with a 39-ball 54 which featured four boundaries and a six.

Besides him, Dunith Wellalage (25*), Priyamal Perera (22) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (21) made notable contributions.

Meanwhile, Kings’ skipper Thisara Perera played a crucial came at the death and bolstered his side’s total. He scored 14 from seven balls with the help of three boundaries.

For the Strikers, Naseem Shah, Matheesha Pathirana, Chamika Karunaratne and Lakshan Sandakan struck out a batter each.

Set to chase 174, Babar Azam-led Colombo Strikers’ batting lineup failed and could only raise 152 before bundling out in the final over despite Niroshan Dickwella’s half-century.

The Strikers had a dismal start to the run chase as the home side endured a massive blow in the fourth over with 33 runs on the board as Pakistan captain Babar Azam perished.

Babar could score a mere seven from eight deliveries before falling to Thisara Perera.

Following his dismissal, the Strikers ran into a collapse which halted the flow of runs for the home side.

Strikers’ captain Dickwella stood his ground firm and kept the scoreboard ticking singlehandedly before Nishan Madushanka finally got rid of him in the 11th over.

He remained the top-scorer for the Strikers with a 34-ball 58, laced up with nine boundaries and a six.

Besides him, Chamika Karunaratne (23 off 15) could make a notable contribution with the bat.

Hardus Viljoen led the bowling attack for the Kings with 3/31, followed by two each from Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Dilshan Madushanka.

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DUBAI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam slipped two spots to fifth in the latest ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, updated on Wednesday, while Saud Shakeel enjoyed a massive surge at the back of a record-breaking double century.

Pakistan’s hero with the bat amid their four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test, Saud Shakeel got the reward of his heroics in the Galle Test as he rose 12 spots to 15th and a new career-best rating on the latest rankings for Test batters.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who was close to reach the summit in the Test batting rankings, dropped two spots after a below-par individual performance in the aforementioned Test.

His scores of 13 and 24 resulted in him losing 27 rating points and down to the fifth spot in the rankings.

Besides the duo, All-rounder Agha Salman shot up 17 places to 58th overall for batters, while young seamer Naseem Shah (up one place to 44th) and inexperienced spinner Abrar Ahmed (up 12 spots to equal 45th) found new highs on the list for Test bowlers after excellent performances with the ball against Sri Lanka.

Notably, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who got a fortunate push to the top of the Test batting rankings, again managed to cling to the summit with 883 rating points but the race for bragging rights and the No.1 spot for batters further intensifies.

Australia right-hander and former No.1 ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne rose three places to second overall after his century at Old Trafford, while England trio Joe Root (up three spots to third), Harry Brook (up two places to 11th) and Zak Crawley (up 13 places to 35th) also made some good ground.

After losing their first Test at home narrowly, Sri Lanka have a moment to cherish as their lethal left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya rose seven places to seventh overall on the list for bowlers following his seven wickets for the match.

READ: Saud Shakeel breaks an all-time Test record during second Sri Lanka Test

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is upbeat as his team will launch their busy, challenging and action-packed 2023-24 international cricket season with the first Test of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 against Sri Lanka in Galle on Sunday.

The second and last Test of the series will be played in Colombo from 24 July.

Apart from the ICC World Test Championship matches, Pakistan is also scheduled to participate in the ACC Asia Cup, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the next 12 months.

With all-format back-to-back international cricket lined-up, a good and strong start in Galle is what Babar Azam and his side will be aiming for.

Galle is a venue where Pakistan and Sri Lanka have achieved mixed results. In the seven Tests to date, Sri Lanka have won four times (2009, 2012, 2014 and 2022), while Pakistan have won thrice – by an innings and 163 runs (2000), 10 wickets (2015) and four wickets (2022).

When Pakistan last won in Galle 12 months ago, the tourists chased down the 342-run target for the loss of six wickets with Abdullah Shafique scoring a memorable 160 not out and Babar Azam following up his 119 in the first innings with 55.

Amongst the bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi took four wickets in the first innings before he was injured during the second innings and was ruled out of further participation.

However, best bowling figures of five for 88 from Mohammad Nawaz and Yasir Shah’s three for 122 combined in the second innings to share wickets.

From the current squad, 13 players were part of the side that toured Sri Lanka 12 months ago. The three newcomers are all-rounder Aamir Jamal, mystery-spinner Abrar Ahmed and middle-order batter Mohammad Huraira.

“Really excited to be back in red-ball format and all eyes are on the Galle Test as we are prepared and ready for the challenge,” Pakistan captain Babar Azam said, adding: “We are taking one step at a time, but we have to be consistent across all formats.

“One of the positives going into the Galle Test is 13 of our players were here 12 months ago. Abrar Ahmed has identified himself as a good option in our combination. I am sure this tour will be a good learning curve for him as we have high hopes from him in this and future series.

“I am particularly pleased with the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi. Besides his wicket-taking abilities, his presence always motivates and lifts the side. I know Shaheen has badly missed red-ball cricket and is now hungry for Test cricket.”

Shaheen is sitting on 99 Test wickets and will aim to become the fourth fastest Pakistan fast bowler to complete a century of wickets. He could have achieved this feat last year had he not been sidelined due to a knee injury.

Shan Masood, Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel scored half-centuries, while Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Aamir Jamal took wickets against the SLC Board XI in Hambantota.

“Like any host country, Sri Lanka will like to play to their strength, which is spin bowling. We have had good feedback about the Sri Lanka side from their former coach Mickey Arthur and I think we are well prepared to take them on. We will stick to basics and be patient as this is Test cricket, which is a test of skills, temperament and stamina.

“Test results in the past 12 months may not have been in our favour, but we have definitely developed and grown as a side.”

Babar Azam is the holder of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2022. He has to date scored 3,696 runs in 47 Tests with nine centuries and 26 half-centuries.

He is the only cricketer to feature inside the top three across all formats – third in Tests, first in ODIs and second in T20Is.

READ: Commentary panel unveiled for Pakistan-Sri Lanka Tests

Left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq joined his national captain Babar Azam and teammates in the Colombo Strikers’ squad for the upcoming edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Imam-ul-Haq is set to make his first-ever foreign T20 franchise league appearance after Colombo Strikers signed the opener as a replacement for Ireland’s Lorcan Tucker.

Strikers, led by Babar Azam, now feature five Pakistani cricketers in their set of overseas players besides the Pakistan captain.

Imam-ul-Haq will join up with his Pakistan teammates Wahab Riaz, Naseem Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz.

Before his inclusion in the Colombo Strikers’ squad for the upcoming edition of the LPL, Imam-ul-Haq had only featured in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The left-handed batter has featured in 22 PSL fixtures and has 542 runs under his belt with the help of five half-centuries.

It is pertinent to mention that the fourth edition of LPL, the T20 franchise cricket tournament in Sri Lanka, is scheduled to be played between five teams, from July 31 to August 22.

A total of 13 Pakistan cricketers were roped in for the upcoming fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in the player auction which took place last month.

Notably, before the auction took place, some of Pakistan’s notable cricketers had already found new homes in the LPL. Leading the charge is the formidable Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, who will be representing the Colombo Strikers.

Joining Babar in the LPL was the young and fiery fast bowler, Naseem Shah, who had also been acquired by the Colombo franchise.

Another key addition to the LPL is the explosive batsman, Fakhar Zaman, who will be donning the colours of the B-Love Kandy team.

Pakistan Players to participate in LPL 2023

B-Love Kandy: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Asif Ali, Mohammad Haris, Aamer Jamal

Colombo Strikers: Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Wahab Riaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz

Jaffna Kings: Shoaib Malik, Zaman Khan.

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