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'He Does Not Have The Ability That Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Have': Mohd. Kaif on Babar Azam

image-lofn1ftmAn old picture of Virat Kohli with Babar Azam (Twitter)

Former India cricketer, Mohammad Kaif believes that in ODI cricket, Babar Azam lacks the capacity to switch gears, which sets him apart from players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

In their 2023 World Cup league-phase encounter in Kolkata on Tuesday, October 31, Pakistan successfully dismissed Bangladesh for 204. Despite Azam's modest contribution of only nine runs from 16 balls, the Pakistani team secured a convincing seven-wicket victory with 17.3 overs remaining.

During a conversation on Star Sports, Kaif was questioned about Azam getting out in the outfield despite having the opportunity to settle in, and in response, here's what he stated:

"I will not judge him based on this knock because he ran after the run rate. He had to finish the game early. So that big shot came. But overall his form is not good. He is scoring fifties and sixties but the hundred hasn't come. The dismissal shows that when he changes gears, it is not his game. When he tries to hit balls out of the boundary, he gets caught on the line. It is not his strength, he is a touch player. If you ask him to score runs at a fast pace after 60 balls, he probably does not have the ability that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have."

Kaif emphasized that Babar Azam has often disappointed when his team requires significant contributions in the form of big shots. 

He cited an instance when the Pakistan captain attempted a lap shot after reaching a half-century against South Africa and found himself caught, illustrating that he has faced difficulties when aiming for substantial hits.