Recently, Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardene, on the current episode of The ICC Review, urged Babar Azam to dethrone Joe Root from the top rank in Tests.
In recent years, Babar Azam’s reputation as one of the best batters of this century has grown. The skipper of the Pakistan cricket team is currently ranked first in batting for both ODIs and T20Is by the ICC. Azam currently holds the No. 3 spot on the ICC Test rankings. Only he has made the top three in all three formats as a hitter. On the most recent episode of The ICC Review, Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene supported the Pakistan star to unseat Joe Root as the best player in Tests. “In my opinion, Babar Azam has a shot at success. He maintains a high standing in all three formats. He’s a talented player who can handle any environment thanks to his adaptable skillset, “Says Jayawardene.
However, during a recent Test series in Sri Lanka, Pakistan lost a match by a significant margin. At a news conference, Azam was questioned not only about the loss, but also about whether or not players like himself, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi would benefit from abandoning one format.
Azam’s response to the question was funny “It all comes down to how fit you are. It’s true that this regimen has improved my fitness, but I still have no idea how to follow the prescribed structure. Aapko kya lagta hai main budha ho gaya hu? Is it true that we are becoming more enlightened?”
The journalist who had asked the inquiry on fitness retorted: “Load zyada par Raha hai na”. Then Azam retorted: “My gut tells me no. Those of us who are carrying a heavy burden will improve our health and fitness if the load lightens up a bit.”
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali (wk), Fakhar Zaman (wk), Haider Ali (wk), Haris Rauf (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed (wk), Khushdil Shah (wk), Mohammad Nawaz (wk), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim (wk), Naseem Shah (wk), Shaheen
