Babar Azam vs Sahibzada Farhan: Which PAK star had better T20I numbers after 25 matches

Babar vs Sahibzada Farhan after 25 T20Is [Source: AFP Photo]

When Babar Azam was snubbed from the Pakistan T20I squad, the team management hand-picked Sahibzada Farhan as his replacement at the top and expectations were high from the talented player. He was supposed to be the next big thing in Pakistan cricket, but so far, things have blown hot and cold.

He has played 25 T20I matches for Pakistan, and is yet to justify his place in the team. He was brought in for his impeccable strike rate, but has he lived up to the hype that was created?. In this article, we look back at the T20I stats between Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam after 25 T20Is (since Sahibzada has played 25 games) to determine whether Babar was rightly replaced or not.

(The focus will be the strike rate to determine the better player).

Babar vs Sahibzada overall T20I stats after 25 matches

(Babar vs Sahibzada overall T20I stats after 25 games)

• The T20I numbers will obviously be in Babar’s favour since he has played more matches, but when it comes to the overall T20I strike rate, Babar still leads the race. Interestingly, Sahibzada was brought into the team due to his aggressive batting, but while Babar strikes at 123.47, he has a strike rate of 122 after 25 matches.
• There is not much to separate the two players, but the former T20I skipper, Babar has better numbers after 25 matches, has more fifties, and has a marginally better strike rate.

Babar vs Sahibzada: T20I stats at home after 25 innings

(Babar vs Sahibzada T20I stats at home after 25 games)

• While Babar has a higher average and has scored more runs at home after 25 matches, his strike rate stands at a solid 143.72; meanwhile, Sahibzada Farhan surpasses him in terms of strike rate and scores runs at 166.66.
• When Pakistan play home games, they get flat wickets for T20I matches, and Sahibzada has fully utilised the batting conditions to his advantage.

Babar vs Sahibzada: T20I stats away from home after 25 matches

(Babar and Sahibzada away T20I stats after 25 matches)

• This is where things get interesting. Playing in away conditions is always a challenge for a batter, and Babar and Sahibzada have experienced it.
• In away and neutral conditions, Babar strikes at 112, while Sahibzada is a touch better at 117.69. The strike rates of the two players are nowhere near the level of T20 cricket, but while Babar has scored truckloads of runs, he falls behind marginally in terms of strike-rate.

Final verdict

While Babar has scored more runs after 25 matches and has a better average to showcase, but Sahibzada just pips him in terms of strike rates in home and away conditions. While Sahibzada's own T20I numbers and strike rate isn't promising, but he strikes better in home conditions, and in away matches. 

However, the interesting thing is that despite having a near-similar strike rate as compared to Sahibzada, Babar has scored more runs, and hence, he marginally beats the current Pakistan opener.

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