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Kamran Ghulam Vs Babar Azam: 3 Reasons Why Ex-Pakistan Captain's ODI Place Is In Serious Danger

Jatin

Kamran Ghulam & Babar Azam [Source: @Rayham__56, @ICC/x.com]Kamran Ghulam & Babar Azam [Source: @Rayham__56, @ICC/x.com]

Pakistan’s rising sensation Kamran Ghulam is making quite a buzz with his batting, and it’s time to take notice. On Thursday, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Kamran smashed his maiden ODI century in style during the third and final series-deciding clash against Zimbabwe. 

His ton came off just 96 balls and the knock was filled with 10 fours and four sixes. What made this knock even more special was the weight of expectation. Filling in for none other than Babar Azam at No. 3, who is rested for the series, Kamran stepped up when the chips were down and proved why he’s the talk of the town. With Pakistan sitting pretty at 234/4 after 45 overs, Kamran’s blistering 103 off 99 balls set the tone.

Now, it’s fair to wonder: Is Kamran Ghulam already a better ODI batter than Babar Azam? Bold claim? Maybe. But here’s why this young gun might just have the edge over Pakistan’s skipper.

3. Better Strike Rate

Let’s talk numbers because they don’t lie. Kamran’s strike rate in this century is a stunning 104.04. In his short ODI career so far, he’s striking at over 93, which is better than Babar’s career strike rate of around 88.

While Babar often takes quite a lot of time to get his eye in, Kamran Ghulam knows how to keep the scoreboard ticking. In modern ODIs, where quick runs matter, Kamran’s approach feels like a breath of fresh air and exactly what’s needed for Pakistan cricket.

2. Knack for Boundaries

Kamran isn’t just about accumulating runs, he loves to put the opposition under pressure. In his latest knock, he smashed 10 fours and sent the ball flying over the ropes four times. This ability to clear the boundary is something Pakistan has been missing at No. 3.

Babar Azam, for all his class and elegance, doesn’t pack the same punch. He’s more about timing and placement but he often struggles to hit sixes. In today’s ODI cricket, where power-hitting is a must, Kamran’s boundary-hitting brilliance stands out.

1. Delivering Under Pressure

Big games demand big players, and Kamran is showing he’s got what it takes. Let’s face it, Babar’s record in pressure situations, be it series deciders or knockout games—has been questioned time and again.

On the other hand, Kamran seems to thrive when the stakes are high. He proved it earlier this year against England with a debut century and has now repeated the feat in a crunch series decider against Zimbabwe. Rising to the occasion like this isn’t something you can teach, it’s instinct, and Kamran’s got it in spades.