Babar Azam Vs Mohammed Shami: Can India Pacer Outclass Pakistan Star?

Soumyajit Dutta

Babar Azam, Mohammed Shami and Rohit Sharma [Source: @Team_BabarAzam/X.com]Babar Azam, Mohammed Shami and Rohit Sharma [Source: @Team_BabarAzam/X.com]

The India-Pakistan Champions Trophy clash is knocking at the door and fans are excited to see their favourite players clash against their rivals in the big-ticket event. Besides marquee clashes, the match will also spotlight a riveting duel between Mohammed Shami’s red-hot form and Babar Azam’s quest for rhythm. 

Fresh from a record ODI fifer against Bangladesh, Shami, now the fastest Indian to 200 ODI wickets, poses a lethal threat with the new ball. Babar, despite a gritty 64 against New Zealand, struggled to accelerate in a steep chase, amplifying pressure to anchor Pakistan’s innings against India’s pace spearhead.

Hence, here's a look at how Shami and Babar will fare against each other in the upcoming India vs Pakistan clash.

Why Will Mohammed Shami Be Important For India?

  • After Bumrah's exit from the Champions Trophy, many doubted India's pace attack. However, Mohammed Shami made a statement with his fifer against Bangladesh and proved his worth as the pace spearhead for India in the tournament.
  • Shami, filling the void for Bumrah will also be a great threat for Pakistan with his impressive tally of 5 wickets from 3 matches he played. he conceded 107 runs in the 28 overs he bowled at a cheap economy rate of 3.82 which also makes him a key bowler for the powerplays.
  • Overall, Mohammed Shami's experience and recent resurgence in form will be a major boost for India as he couples with Harshit Rana for the upcoming clash to menace the Pakistan batters.

Mohammed Shami vs Babar Azam

Babar Azam met Mohammed Shami for only one occasion back in 2021 that too in a T20I match where the batter managed to score 13 runs off 9 balls. Without getting dismissed. 

Balls
Runs
Dismissals
Strike Rate
9130144.4

Table - Babar Azam Against Mohammed Shami in T20I

Though it has been only one opportunity, it is safe to say that Babar got a slight upper hand against Shami with his strike rate of 144.4. However, Shami's stats against right-hand batters have been impressive as well. 

Can Shami Outfox Babar Azam?

Shami’s mastery against right-handers clashes with Babar’s dominance versus right-arm pace. Their first ODI meeting hinges on Shami’s ability to exploit Babar’s cautious powerplay approach, testing Pakistan’s batting backbone.

Criterion
Data
Innings102
Wickets141
Economy Rate5.49
Average21.3
Best Figure5/50

Table - Shami Against Right-Hand batters in ODIs

Phase
Runs
Balls
Strike Rate
Average
Overall2,9893,33789.649
2024-2517221679.643

Table - Babar Azam Against Right-Arm Pace in ODIs

Moreover, Shami’s seam movement and relentless line could stifle Babar’s intent early. Shami also boasts impressive powerplay over stats with 53 wickets in 101 innings at an average of 31.71 and an economy rate of 4.56.

Clash of the titans

Shami’s strategy to bowl tight channels and induce false shots contrasts with Babar’s reliance on timing. If Shami disrupts Babar’s rhythm early, Pakistan’s middle order faces immense pressure. Conversely, Babar’s ability to rotate strike and capitalize on loose deliveries could neutralize India’s pace ace.