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How Rizwan Comprehensively Outclassed Babar Azam In 2022 Asia Cup T20 In UAE

Akshita Patel

When Rizwan overshadowed Babar Azam [Source: @Nomancricket29, @Aunhaid300/X.com]When Rizwan overshadowed Babar Azam [Source: @Nomancricket29, @Aunhaid300/X.com]

The Asia Cup 2022 in the UAE turned into a tale of two cricketers for Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. While Rizwan delivered consistently stellar performances, Babar endured a rare slump.

Pakistan had a dream run in the 2022 Asia Cup. With the UAE practically being their home ground, the men in green dominated, beating India by 5 wickets and reaching the final. While Sri Lanka beat them to clinch the trophy, a tale of two seniors grabbed the limelight.

Rizwan Outperformed Babar In 2022 Asia Cup Against Odds

Mohammad Rizwan, the vice-captain, emerged as the tournament's highest run-scorer with 281 runs from six matches at an average of 56.20, including three fifties and a strike rate of 117.57.

On the flip side, captain Babar Azam could only score 68 runs from 6 innings at an average of just 11.33. The difference in form was glaring and impossible to miss.

Rizwan’s consistency even helped him achieve a remarkable milestone as he displaced Babar to become the No. 1 ranked T20I batter in the ICC standings. Meanwhile, Babar’s struggles left critics questioning the balance in Pakistan’s batting order.

Moreover, in a high-pressure Super Four thriller against India, Rizwan top-scored with a crucial 71 off 51, propelling Pakistan to victory alongside Mohammed Nawaz. Babar himself gave credit to Rizwan's heroics as he called him "a true warrior" who took the team ahead when things were not going well.

Then, in the final against Sri Lanka, Mohammad Rizwan again led the charge with 55 runs, while Babar’s disastrous outing ended with just 5 runs. 

Rizwan Emerged As The Real MVP For Pakistan

So when Pakistan's campaign ended, it was clear who the real MVP was. Rizwan outperformed Babar not by chance, but by sheer grit, consistency, and clutch performances. In a tournament where heroes were needed, Mohammad Rizwan delivered; Babar Azam didn’t. 

That being said, a couple of years down the line, Rizwan ended up replacing Babar as white-ball captain. Though Pakistan didn’t achieve anything significant under his tenure.