Dawid Malan displaces Babar Azam to grab top position in ICC T20I Rankings for batsmen

[MenInG]

Pakistan batsman Babar Azam and New Zealand bowler Mitchell Santner have topped the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for T20I Batsmen and Bowlers respectively, following the conclusion of their series which the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 champions won 2-1.

Babar was rewarded for finishing as the leading run-scorer in the series (109 runs) with a rise of 11 places that has put him on top for the first time. He now leads Australia’s Aaron Finch (784 points) by two points.

Babar is the second Pakistan batsman to top the T20I rankings after Misbah-ul-Haq, who had climbed to number-one spot in 2009.

New Zealand’s Colin Munro, who had started the series in number-one position, has slipped to fourth after scoring 50 runs in the two matches he played.

Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad has moved up two places to 25th and is his side’s second highest-ranked batsman in the shortest format, but captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman are the biggest movers in the latest rankings.

Sarfraz’s series contribution of 79 runs has lifted him from 76th position to 55th, while Fakhar has claimed the 71st spot after rising 41 places following his series aggregate of 99 runs.

In the bowlers’ table, Santner has replaced team-mate Ish Sodhi as the top-ranked bowler. The left-arm spinner picked up four wickets and now leads Afghanistan’s number-two ranked spinner Rashid Khan by one point.

Sodhi has dropped two places to third, six points behind Santner, after managing two wickets in the series.

Santner is the fourth New Zealand bowler after Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond and Sodhi to claim the coveted number-one position.

Pakistan’s Shadab Khan, who was the most successful bowler in the series with five wickets, has rocketed 28 places to 14th spot, while fast bowler Mohammad Amir has also made an impressive gain of 19 places and now sits in 27th position after bagging three wickets.

Other significant movers include Tim Southee (53rd, up by 17 places), Rumman Raees (92nd, up by 33 places) and Faheem Ashraf (102nd, up by 31 places).

There is no change in the all-rounders’ list, which is still headed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh, with Glenn Maxwell of Australia in second spot.

 

[BaankeJi]

nice achievement. Well done to Babar Azam.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Lmao, Kohli who?

 

[MenInG]

From -0.0 to +100 in a matter of 3 games!

 

[Fahdi]

Well done!

Quite a big jump. Scored against the 1st ranked team which contained the top ranked bowler as well so his runs probably impacted the rankings heavily.

 

[zain7077]

World Class. He will top the one day charts shortly too, In Sha Aalh. However this shows t20 batting is not all about slogging and power hitting.

 

[dhonixi]

Lmao. Icc=pcb

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Fluke..

 

[Madplayer]

This should tell you what a joke these t20 rankings are

No way on earth is he the best t20i batsman.

Having said that, the only thing he has done is score consistently albeit at inferior strike rates. He hasnt been the player who scores an impactful t20 knock and blows the opposition away.

Hope these rankings give him confidence and he does something which actually justifies his number 1 rank.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Fluke..

Kohli was at 824 points. Kohli missed the SriLankan T20 due to his marriage. In the process lost 48 points. ICC deducts points if you donot play.

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

He is clearly a world class player who I hope has much more success in the future. Goes to show how you dont need to be the biggest hitter in the game to achieve greatness in t20s. Most reliable batsman to play for pak in the past few years. Imo, he has reached this ranking because of being forced to play cautiously because no other players could anchor the innings like he could, hence his godly average.

 

[Varun]

The T20 rankings - team or player - are aggressive to the point that it makes no sense to read too much into them.

That said, I don't mind Babar Azam and hope Pakistan don't mess him up.

 

[pkckt]

Don't let this distract you from the fact that Hasan is not the No.1 ODI bowler in the world anymore

 

[RainMan_]

Really? Congratulations to babar and all the pak fans.

 

[Ummii]

To be honest I'm not a fan of Babar but some attention seekers will be here soon, for bashing him because they wants to be unique.

 

[Fahdi]

Babar's case is kind of like Hashim Amla's; who for a long period was the 1st ranked ODI batsman but there were easily 4-5 better batsmen than him. Babar has been similarly consistent in both the LOI formats(prior to the NZ ODI series) and has made good ground in the rankings because of it but that doesn't mean he is actually as good as the rankings say.

 

[babajee]

Don't let this distract you from the fact that Hasan is not the No.1 ODI bowler in the world anymore

Who is?

 

[UN talkz]

Who is?

A Lahori guy... Imran Tahir

 

[Madplayer]

Babar's case is kind of like Hashim Amla's; who for a long period was the 1st ranked ODI batsman but there were easily 4-5 better batsmen than him. Babar has been similarly consistent in both the LOI formats(prior to the NZ ODI series) and has made good ground in the rankings because of it but that doesn't mean he is actually as good as the rankings say.

Well Babar has played in just 1 ICC tournament so far and he didnt bottle it like Amla does.

 

[Fahdi]

Well Babar has played in just 1 ICC tournament so far and he didnt bottle it like Amla does.

The post wasn't meant as a comparison between Amla and Babar. I was merely pointing out that the rankings are based purely on stats which do not cater for match situation and impact. Hence players who end up high in the rankings may actually be half a tier below the actual best players around.

 

[Madplayer]

The post wasn't meant as a comparison between Amla and Babar. I was merely pointing out that the rankings are based purely on stats which do not cater for match situation and impact. Hence players who end up high in the rankings may actually be half a tier below the actual best players around.

Fair point. Agreed.

 

[CadPakFan]

Babar has gotten but in my opinion, there are others suited for number one other than him but still well done.

 

[DRsohail]

Fluke/.

 

[Syed1]

But Babar doesn't have the aura and stature of Kohli and Pakistan does not have the batting culture of India so Babar will never be a world class batsman. Fluke ranking.

 

[ManFan]

But Babar doesn't have the aura and stature of Kohli and Pakistan does not have the batting culture of India so Babar will never be a world class batsman. Fluke ranking.

NZ would beat us 1/3 times.

 

[DeadBall]

This is akin to Munro topping the Test Batsmen chart.

 

[Bhaijaan]

No matter what you achieve in life, there will always be someone trash talking. Congrats to Bobby on a phenomenal achievement. He is one of the most promising young batters going around and has lots to achieve still in ALL formats of the game. I personally will take many T20 batsmen over him but if he's got there he's got there fair and square which you have to respect.

 

[msb314]

Lmao, Kohli who?

But but but I thought Babar does not have the aura and personality of Kohli (which led to his rise as a cricketer)

 

[Syed1]

But but but I thought Babar does not have the aura and personality of Kohli (which led to his rise as a cricketer)

Also don't forget India have a batting culture and a world class team who will beat us 9 times out of 10.

 

[barah_admi]

The best T20 batsmen in recent times have shown how to play without reliance on power hitting. Kohli and Root have pathed the way, with Williamson thereabouts too. Babar bats to their template, as he does in ODIs. If he can pick up some test tips from them, he'll become a great all round batsman.

 

[Oxfordchamp]

He won't be there for long..it is only a matter of few days time..

 

[ads101]

First time a Pakistani batsman has got to no.1 in t20 batting rankings I think, great achievement

Already our greatest T20 batsman ever (admittedly not much to compare to), and I'm sure he'll end up our best ODI batsman to ever going ahead of guys like Zaheer Abbas and Saeed Anwar.

 

[msb314]

Also don't forget India have a batting culture and a world class team who will beat us 9 times out of 10.

It just so happens that the 1/10 time happened in the CT. Hence why Babar is a “fluke”

 

[big_gamer007]

Congrats to babar.. Some very poor comments on this thread, even if ratings change tomorrow does not change the fact bahar has performed well to reach #1.

 

[Plumb]

Need to be consistent to be no.1 T20 No1 matter less. Be an impact player for the team. How he did in ODIs in NZ makes me feel he has a long way to go to be no1.

 

[The_Odd_One]

T20 rankings shouldn't be taken seriously. Doesn't have that additional gear that KL Rahul possesses.

There are several batsmen who can do everything that Babar can but the opposite is not true.

 

[Abdul]

Can't wait until Kohli gets his rightful spot back.

 

[ads101]

A Lahori guy... Imran Tahir

Such a shame we let a player like that go. Apparently he was even performing in domestic in Pakistan too, just wasn't given chances at international level. Clearly seems talented, I'm curious to why he didn't get a single chance, but I didn't watch cricket then/ was a toddler.

 

[Itachi]

Such a shame we let a player like that go. Apparently he was even performing in domestic in Pakistan too, just wasn't given chances at international level. Clearly seems talented, I'm curious to why he didn't get a single chance, but I didn't watch cricket then/ was a toddler.

He's inferior to all other bowler that Pakistan had.

 

[Hasan123]

A surprise that he's ranked number 1. T20s is his worst format but he seems to have excelled in it so far. Would like to see him open in T20s and be given the role of batting through the innings. Than pack the side with power hitters.

 

[babajee]

A surprise that he's ranked number 1. T20s is his worst format but he seems to have excelled in it so far. Would like to see him open in T20s and be given the role of batting through the innings. Than pack the side with power hitters.

I still think he should be at 3 in T20. We need to open with Fakhar and someone who is there to take advantage of the power play e.g Mukhtar so we can get off to brisk starts.

 

[Hasan123]

I still think he should be at 3 in T20. We need to open with Fakhar and someone who is there to take advantage of the power play e.g Mukhtar so we can get off to brisk starts.

I don't mind that but we just need to get more boundary hitters in our team.

 

[drrashmin]

Why can't we enjoy someone's achievement without criticizing him or others?

Congratulations to Babar and Pak fans, all the best!!!

 

[Bilal7]

This is massive foreshadowing. One day, Babar will knock Kohli off his perch as the best Asian batsman as well.

Babar's case is kind of like Hashim Amla's; who for a long period was the 1st ranked ODI batsman but there were easily 4-5 better batsmen than him. Babar has been similarly consistent in both the LOI formats(prior to the NZ ODI series) and has made good ground in the rankings because of it but that doesn't mean he is actually as good as the rankings say.

Rankings are not the be all, end all but Babar, like Amla in ODIs before him, is currently one of the best T20 batsman in the world. Whether he is the best depends on who is talking.

 

[drrashmin]

This is massive foreshadowing. One day, Babar will knock Kohli off his perch as the best Asian batsman as well.

.

So Kohli is best Asian batsman according to your post.

 

[backfootpunch]

This is massive foreshadowing. One day, Babar will knock Kohli off his perch as the best Asian batsman as well.



Rankings are not the be all, end all but Babar, like Amla in ODIs before him, is currently one of the best T20 batsman in the world. Whether he is the best depends on who is talking.

You should really be assigned a moderator because the quality of your posts are atrociously bad. There is a difference between trolling and then actually believe the tripe you post on here.

Before the NZ series you claimed Babar Azam was a better batsman than Kohli in ODIs because his average was higher.

Everyone knows you hate Kohli and I can guarantee not one PPer agrees with any of the above statements you made.

Yesterday instead of giving VK any credit for his exceptional performances on such low scoring wickets you decided to bash the SA 2nd test wicket even though he virtually scored all his team runs in the 1st innings.

Babar Azam isn't even half the player of Kohli (as much I wish he was better) doesn't make your dreams true. Smell the coffee.

 

[Bilal7]

So Kohli is best Asian batsman according to your post.

Of course. He's by far the best Asian batsman playing today across formats.

You should really be assigned a moderator because the quality of your posts are atrociously bad. There is a difference between trolling and then actually believe the tripe you post on here.

Before the NZ series you claimed Babar Azam was a better batsman than Kohli in ODIs because his average was higher.

Everyone knows you hate Kohli and I can guarantee not one PPer agrees with any of the above statements you made.

Yesterday instead of giving VK any credit for his exceptional performances on such low scoring wickets you decided to bash the SA 2nd test wicket even though he virtually scored all his team runs in the 1st innings.

Babar Azam isn't even half the player of Kohli (as much I wish he was better) doesn't make your dreams true. Smell the coffee.

If my posts have broken any of the rules here on Pakpassion, the moderators will let me know. If not, then you need to learn to respect the opinions of other people. It'll make your life much easier.

As for the few sentences in your post worth my time: I have never said Babar is better than Kohli at present. I said that Babar is better than Kohli was at his age and average is just one indicator of that. Babar has already played a very good innings in a final, something Kohli has yet to do a few months before his 30th birthday. Babar is already considered one of the best ODI batsmen in the world, Kohli was just another talented bat at the same age. Babar is the backbone of his team, Kohli wasn't even the fifth best batsman of his side at the same age.

I have given credit to Kohli for his very good innings in the last test. And not just once either. You've now lied about me twice in the space of three paragraphs. Who needs a moderator again?

You are entitled to your opinion but so am I. My opinion remains that Babar Azam is a better batsman than Kohli was at the same age and he will surpass Kohli in the future.

 

[jiduguravindra]

These t20 rankings are all fluke...Not even scored 600 runs in international cricket and sr at 120...Ranked number 1 batsmen...look at the t20 numbers of kohli...

 

[Mamoon]

If anyone needed any proof that the ICC player ranking system needs to be revamped, this is it. He is not even in the top 10 T20 batsmen in international cricket - probably not even in the top 20.

Kohli, Warner, Munro, Root, de Villiers, du Plessis, Miller, de Kock, Finch, Roy, Hales, Guptill, Rohit, Dhawan, Rahul, Fakhar, Kusal Perera, Lewis, Stokes, Buttler, Bairstow, Morgan, Maxwell, Lynn etc. are all better T20 batsmen. I have probably missed a few names apart from these 24 names.

 

[Mamoon]

You should really be assigned a moderator because the quality of your posts are atrociously bad. There is a difference between trolling and then actually believe the tripe you post on here.

Before the NZ series you claimed Babar Azam was a better batsman than Kohli in ODIs because his average was higher.

Everyone knows you hate Kohli and I can guarantee not one PPer agrees with any of the above statements you made.

Yesterday instead of giving VK any credit for his exceptional performances on such low scoring wickets you decided to bash the SA 2nd test wicket even though he virtually scored all his team runs in the 1st innings.

Babar Azam isn't even half the player of Kohli (as much I wish he was better) doesn't make your dreams true. Smell the coffee.

Leave him to his delusions. Babar will be a better player than someone who is on course to breaking all major ODI records and will go down as one of the top 5 best batsmen to have played the game.

It is true in the same world where Amla is the second best ODI opener in history.

 

[Mamoon]

Babar has already played a very good innings in a final, something Kohli has yet to do a few months before his 30th birthday. Babar is already considered one of the best ODI batsmen in the world, Kohli was just another talented bat at the same age. Babar is the backbone of his team, Kohli wasn't even the fifth best batsman of his side at the same age.

Sorry, couldn't resist this.

Kohli's innings in the 2013 Champions Trophy final was much better and more significant than Babar's 2017 Champions Trophy final innings. Kohli batted in tough conditions and came to the crease when India were in trouble.

On the contrary, Babar played on a good batting wicket and Pakistan were in a very formidable position at that time. Absolutely no parallels, and your standard defense would be the usual "but Kohli played a T20 innings" and bla bla. Doesn't change the fact that his innings was more crucial than Babar's.

Had Babar come in early, he would have sucked the momentum out of the innings as he usually does against good attacks. He was a flop in the Champions Trophy and I hope he is not another serial bottler like Amla in the making.

The second part of your post is even more comical. Babar is the backbone of the team because he is playing with some rubbish batsmen. If Ahmed Shehzad moves to Kenya, he will not only be the backbone of their team but he will be the greatest batsman they have ever produced.

A young Kohli was the 5th best batsman in that Indian team because they had elite batsmen. Babar won't even make the 2008-2011 Indian team. He is not one of the best ODI batsmen in the world at the moment - there are several players better than him and in fact he doesn't even make most of the top sides because they already have superior batsmen in his role/position.

However, he is a great prospect by Pakistani standards and if he works hard he can become a Pakistani legend. At the moment, it looks like he has the heart of a chicken like Amla but hopefully he develop some fire in his belly with time.

 

[AMSS]

If anyone needed any proof that the ICC player ranking system needs to be revamped, this is it. He is not even in the top 10 T20 batsmen in international cricket - probably not even in the top 20.

Kohli, Warner, Munro, Root, de Villiers, du Plessis, Miller, de Kock, Finch, Roy, Hales, Guptill, Rohit, Dhawan, Rahul, Fakhar, Kusal Perera, Lewis, Stokes, Buttler, Bairstow, Morgan, Maxwell, Lynn etc. are all better T20 batsmen. I have probably missed a few names apart from these 24 names.

Nothing wrong with the ranking algorithms per se, it's the same as other formats. The lopsidedness comes from the fact that stronger teams simply do not prioritize T20 internationals.

 

[Mamoon]

Nothing wrong with the ranking algorithms per se, it's the same as other formats. The lopsidedness comes from the fact that stronger teams simply do not prioritize T20 internationals.

Yes, but the player ranking system is quite inefficient in all formats. I think it needs a revamp.

 

[rudra]

Need just one good knock from kohli to jump to no1. Or just 1 duck from babar to fall back to no 3/4.
How ridiculous these t20 rankings are

 

[Smudger]

Yes, but the player ranking system is quite inefficient in all formats. I think it needs a revamp.

Yeah baber became no 1 t20 batter by fluke. Icc ranking system should be changed. Mamoon should should be made chairman of icc

 

[Lynx]

Lmao how has he made it to the number 1 ranking in T20!? Just ask yourself this, if he was indeed the number 1 ranked batsman in the format, why are T20 franchises around the globe not even mentioning his name to be picked? If IPL was open for our players, would he be picked by any team? No he wouldn't. Shadab is a more impactful batsman than him in T20s.

 

[Mamoon]

Yeah baber became no 1 t20 batter by fluke. Icc ranking system should be changed. Mamoon should should be made chairman of icc

This whole fluke business is getting old now. It appears that every time I will make any critique people will look to brush it away because I think that the Champions Trophy was a fluke.

Babar flying to the summit of the T20 rankings is not a fluke - it is based on a numerical system and that system holds true for every player in the world - there is no bias involved.

However, if the system is coming up with such shallow results, it is pretty obvious that it is not working and is far from accurate. Even Babar's biggest fan in the world would agree that he is not even in the top 10 best T20 batsmen in the world.

 

[Bilal7]

Sorry, couldn't resist this.

Kohli's innings in the 2013 Champions Trophy final was much better and more significant than Babar's 2017 Champions Trophy final innings. Kohli batted in tough conditions and came to the crease when India were in trouble.

On the contrary, Babar played on a good batting wicket and Pakistan were in a very formidable position at that time. Absolutely no parallels, and your standard defense would be the usual "but Kohli played a T20 innings" and bla bla. Doesn't change the fact that his innings was more crucial than Babar's.

Had Babar come in early, he would have sucked the momentum out of the innings as he usually does against good attacks. He was a flop in the Champions Trophy and I hope he is not another serial bottler like Amla in the making.

The second part of your post is even more comical. Babar is the backbone of the team because he is playing with some rubbish batsmen. If Ahmed Shehzad moves to Kenya, he will not only be the backbone of their team but he will be the greatest batsman they have ever produced.

A young Kohli was the 5th best batsman in that Indian team because they had elite batsmen. Babar won't even make the 2008-2011 Indian team. He is not one of the best ODI batsmen in the world at the moment - there are several players better than him and in fact he doesn't even make most of the top sides because they already have superior batsmen in his role/position.

However, he is a great prospect by Pakistani standards and if he works hard he can become a Pakistani legend. At the moment, it looks like he has the heart of a chicken like Amla but hopefully he develop some fire in his belly with time.

I'm tired of repeating myself so please hammer this into your brain for the last time: The 2013 CT final was a T20 match. I do not take that into consideration when discussing ODIs. Is Kohli a fantastic pressure player in T20 semis and finals? Yes. Is he a fantastic pressure player in ODI semis and finals? Not yet.

Babar Azam did in his first high pressure match what Kohli hasn't been able to do in the three high pressure ODIs that he has played in. Namely the 2011 finals, 2015 semis and 2017 finals. He's a true, proven choker.

No, Shehzad will not the backbone of Kenya because he does not soak up pressure like Babar does and nor is he someone a team can be built around. Babar Azam is doing something Kohli was never asked to do, which is to start his career as the main man in a batting lineup and carry the hopes of a nation on his back despite not even being 24 years old yet.

 

[Bilal7]

This whole fluke business is getting old now. It appears that every time I will make any critique people will look to brush it away because I think that the Champions Trophy was a fluke.

Babar flying to the summit of the T20 rankings is not a fluke - it is based on a numerical system and that system holds true for every player in the world - there is no bias involved.

However, if the system is coming up with such shallow results, it is pretty obvious that it is not working and is far from accurate. Even Babar's biggest fan in the world would agree that he is not even in the top 10 best T20 batsmen in the world.

He is most definitely one of the best T20 batsmen in the world. He averages 50 in T20s. That is ridiculously good. SR could be better but then again, no one is perfect.

Of course, someone who "doesn't care about facts" cannot be expected to ever provide an objective opinion. Stats = Facts. Learn to face them.

 

[Mamoon]

He is most definitely one of the best T20 batsmen in the world. He averages 50 in T20s. That is ridiculously good. SR could be better but then again, no one is perfect.

Of course, someone who "doesn't care about facts" cannot be expected to ever provide an objective opinion. Stats = Facts. Learn to face them.

Average is overrated in T20s at a SR of 120. He needs to get that SR up to 130+ and if he can manage that at his current average, he will be as good as anyone in this format. However, in order to get there, he will have to improve his ball striking.

 

[Sarwar89]

He needs to concentrate on Test Cricket, T20's performance and ratings carries no importance

 

[Mamoon]

I'm tired of repeating myself so please hammer this into your brain for the last time: The 2013 CT final was a T20 match. I do not take that into consideration when discussing ODIs. Is Kohli a fantastic pressure player in T20 semis and finals? Yes. Is he a fantastic pressure player in ODI semis and finals? Not yet.

Babar Azam did in his first high pressure match what Kohli hasn't been able to do in the three high pressure ODIs that he has played in. Namely the 2011 finals, 2015 semis and 2017 finals. He's a true, proven choker.

No, Shehzad will not the backbone of Kenya because he does not soak up pressure like Babar does and nor is he someone a team can be built around. Babar Azam is doing something Kohli was never asked to do, which is to start his career as the main man in a batting lineup and carry the hopes of a nation on his back despite not even being 24 years old yet.

You may be tired of repeating yourself but no matter how often you do, you do not make any sense. There is no such thing as WT20 pressure or World Cup pressure or Champions Trophy pressure; you can either handle the pressure of ICC tournaments or you can't. Kohli can, he is one of the best pressure players around. The 2015 World Cup SF and the Champions Trophy Final doesn't change anything. By the way, calling the 2011 World Cup final innings a 'choke' sums up your understand.

It was a very good innings under pressure. India had lost two early wickets including that of Sachin which left India shell-shocked. India were 20 odd for 2 chasing 278, and he added 80 odd with Gambhir to put India back on track. It was the most crucial partnership of the match and had he choked under pressure and lost his wicket early, it could have been curtains for India.

That cameo of his was more worthy than many fifties and big innings.

Please name a few Kenyan batsmen who are better than Shehzad and who form the backbone of their team. The point is that being the best batsman of your team means nothing without context. An average young batsmen will be the best batsman in a weak team, but that doesn't make the average batsman special.

Babar is not average, he is very good. However, being the best Pakistani batsman means little when you look at how great our batsmen are. You simply cannot draw parallels with Kohli who as a youngster played in a team that had elite, experienced batsmen.

Kohli is second only to Viv in ODIs, he is on course to breaking many ODI batting records and is also the greatest chaser of all time. In addition, he is already an ATG before the age of 30. By the time he retires, he will most likely go down as one of the top 5 best and most complete batsmen to play the game. He is already pushing himself into that league.

On top of that, he is one of the biggest stars the game has seen and is one of the influential cricketers of all time. Almost every young batsman today idolizes him and he will be remembered for generations to come. He is a true icon of the game and the face of modern cricket.

The claim that Babar will surpass Kohli in the future is ridiculous on so many levels that it is not even funny. If Babar becomes 50% of the giant that Kohli is today, he will have a wonderful career and will become a legend for Pakistan cricket.

 

[backfootpunch]

Of course. He's by far the best Asian batsman playing today across formats.



If my posts have broken any of the rules here on Pakpassion, the moderators will let me know. If not, then you need to learn to respect the opinions of other people. It'll make your life much easier.

As for the few sentences in your post worth my time: I have never said Babar is better than Kohli at present. I said that Babar is better than Kohli was at his age and average is just one indicator of that. Babar has already played a very good innings in a final, something Kohli has yet to do a few months before his 30th birthday. Babar is already considered one of the best ODI batsmen in the world, Kohli was just another talented bat at the same age. Babar is the backbone of his team, Kohli wasn't even the fifth best batsman of his side at the same age.

I have given credit to Kohli for his very good innings in the last test. And not just once either. You've now lied about me twice in the space of three paragraphs. Who needs a moderator again?

You are entitled to your opinion but so am I. My opinion remains that Babar Azam is a better batsman than Kohli was at the same age and he will surpass Kohli in the future.

Yes everyone is entitled to an opinion even if it means some losing their IQ viewing such poor logical content but luckily at least I won't.

Secondly NO you made it loud and clear that Babar was a superior batsman to Kohli because at the time (before NZ series) he was averaging 58 (after bashing WI and SL in UAE) whereas Kohli was some 4-6 runs lower but at a sample set astronomically bigger than the rookie, not to forget scoring runs everywhere against all opposition.

LOOL Babar is not one of the best ODI batters in the world - I can name at least 10-15 who are better. He's currently not even the best batsman in Pakistan let alone in the world.

To actually claim Babar's innings of just 40 odd runs was better than Kohli is a joke. Kohli played in a low scoring affair in tougher conditions, so although his runs are very similar he accounted for a higher % of his team runs whereas Babar came in when Pakistan were in command, so in comparison his runs were soft and only accounted for a low % of Pakistan's 338 total.

Kohli at the same stage of his career was the 5th best Indian batsman because he was playing in an ATG batting line up for crying out loud whereas Babar is playing in a team (like Malik, Hafeez et al) which struggles to attack 140+ pace particularly outside Asia. Kohli ha the likes of SRT, Sehwag, Dhoni and etc. I mean are you going to tell me if Babar was in that Indian team (wouldn't have made the cut but let's say hypothetically) he would have been the best Indian batsman?

Babar Azam will surpass Kohli? This would bring me smiles but the reality is it won't happen because he isn't even half the player - is a walking wicket against spin, can't play steep bounce and has deficiencies on faster wickets evident from the fact you could see the ball was hitting him higher on the bat throughout the series hence the awful display in the ODI series.

As for the lying - none of that is coming from me. I didn't claim Babar Azam was better thank Kohli on the basis of his 58 average...

 

[backfootpunch]

Leave him to his delusions. Babar will be a better player than someone who is on course to breaking all major ODI records and will go down as one of the top 5 best batsmen to have played the game.

It is true in the same world where Amla is the second best ODI opener in history.

I wonder if he watches the same sport LOOOOL.

Along with his superstitious claims with Amla he also said Moeen Ali was going to destroy Aussie bowlers in the Ashes with the bat even though it is well known that he isn't the best player on fast wickets particularly when he's up against the short ball.

 

[JattMaula]

He is most definitely one of the best T20 batsmen in the world. He averages 50 in T20s. That is ridiculously good. SR could be better but then again, no one is perfect.

Of course, someone who "doesn't care about facts" cannot be expected to ever provide an objective opinion. Stats = Facts. Learn to face them.

This.

People expect batsmen to average high and also have good strike rate. Its not possible. That's why I always claim that Lala was an all time best batsmen. Best strike rate of them all. Average was little low but then again, no one is perfect. And unlike chocker kholi he won a WC on his own!

 

[ManFan]

Babar doesn't have that fire in his belly. Its been 4 years since he made his international debut and he is still the same chicken-legged individual he was back than.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

I'm tired of repeating myself so please hammer this into your brain for the last time: The 2013 CT final was a T20 match. I do not take that into consideration when discussing ODIs. Is Kohli a fantastic pressure player in T20 semis and finals? Yes. Is he a fantastic pressure player in ODI semis and finals? Not yet.

Babar Azam did in his first high pressure match what Kohli hasn't been able to do in the three high pressure ODIs that he has played in. Namely the 2011 finals, 2015 semis and 2017 finals. He's a true, proven choker.

No, Shehzad will not the backbone of Kenya because he does not soak up pressure like Babar does and nor is he someone a team can be built around. Babar Azam is doing something Kohli was never asked to do, which is to start his career as the main man in a batting lineup and carry the hopes of a nation on his back despite not even being 24 years old yet.

How is babar's innings in ct better than kohlis innings in 2011 wc final.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Congrats to Babar,but I don’t think he’s the best T20 batsman in the world.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

I'm tired of repeating myself so please hammer this into your brain for the last time: The 2013 CT final was a T20 match. I do not take that into consideration when discussing ODIs. Is Kohli a fantastic pressure player in T20 semis and finals? Yes. Is he a fantastic pressure player in ODI semis and finals? Not yet.

Babar Azam did in his first high pressure match what Kohli hasn't been able to do in the three high pressure ODIs that he has played in. Namely the 2011 finals, 2015 semis and 2017 finals. He's a true, proven choker.

No, Shehzad will not the backbone of Kenya because he does not soak up pressure like Babar does and nor is he someone a team can be built around. Babar Azam is doing something Kohli was never asked to do, which is to start his career as the main man in a batting lineup and carry the hopes of a nation on his back despite not even being 24 years old yet.

Just tell me one thing. Name a legendary odi bat who chased 330+ in wc finals . Let kohli play the first innings in knockouts and then you will get to know whether he chokes or not.
Chasing 330+ in knockouts is hell of a chase
even the best of best haven't done that.
Anyone will succumb to such pressure.

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

What a joke. I can find 20 batsmen better then Babar Azam at T20.

 

[barah_admi]

What a joke. I can find 20 batsmen better then Babar Azam at T20.

Name them, name which country their from, why they are better and how they have helped their team win more matches than Pakistan has won.

Thanks.

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Name them, name which country their from, why they are better and how they have helped their team win more matches than Pakistan has won.

Thanks.

T20 is not just about International games. Very few teams plays significant T20's.

Just to name a few:

1. Rohit Sharma
2. Virat Kohli
3. David Warner
4. Aaron Finch
5. Buttler
6. David Miller
7. AB Devilliers
8. Joe Root
9. Amla
10. Lynn
11. Maxwell
12. Hales
13. Tamim Iqbal
14. Guptil
15. Kane Williamson
16. Morgan
17. Chris Gayle
18. Smith
19. Lokesh Rahul
20. Colin Munro
21. Guptil

 

[Bilal7]

Average is overrated in T20s at a SR of 120. He needs to get that SR up to 130+ and if he can manage that at his current average, he will be as good as anyone in this format. However, in order to get there, he will have to improve his ball striking.

Each player has his strengths and weakenesses and a team needs every type of batsman. You cannot fill your team with sloggers or accumulators, you need a mixture of both to succeed.

Babar has room to improve but it's hilarious to say that there are 20 batsmen better than him in the T20 format.

You may be tired of repeating yourself but no matter how often you do, you do not make any sense. There is no such thing as WT20 pressure or World Cup pressure or Champions Trophy pressure; you can either handle the pressure of ICC tournaments or you can't. Kohli can, he is one of the best pressure players around. The 2015 World Cup SF and the Champions Trophy Final doesn't change anything. By the way, calling the 2011 World Cup final innings a 'choke' sums up your understand.

It was a very good innings under pressure. India had lost two early wickets including that of Sachin which left India shell-shocked. India were 20 odd for 2 chasing 278, and he added 80 odd with Gambhir to put India back on track. It was the most crucial partnership of the match and had he choked under pressure and lost his wicket early, it could have been curtains for India.

That cameo of his was more worthy than many fifties and big innings.

Please name a few Kenyan batsmen who are better than Shehzad and who form the backbone of their team. The point is that being the best batsman of your team means nothing without context. An average young batsmen will be the best batsman in a weak team, but that doesn't make the average batsman special.

Babar is not average, he is very good. However, being the best Pakistani batsman means little when you look at how great our batsmen are. You simply cannot draw parallels with Kohli who as a youngster played in a team that had elite, experienced batsmen.

Kohli is second only to Viv in ODIs, he is on course to breaking many ODI batting records and is also the greatest chaser of all time. In addition, he is already an ATG before the age of 30. By the time he retires, he will most likely go down as one of the top 5 best and most complete batsmen to play the game. He is already pushing himself into that league.

On top of that, he is one of the biggest stars the game has seen and is one of the influential cricketers of all time. Almost every young batsman today idolizes him and he will be remembered for generations to come. He is a true icon of the game and the face of modern cricket.

The claim that Babar will surpass Kohli in the future is ridiculous on so many levels that it is not even funny. If Babar becomes 50% of the giant that Kohli is today, he will have a wonderful career and will become a legend for Pakistan cricket.

It makes sense because ODIs and T20s require different skill-sets and a particular player may do well in T20 tournaments not because he handles the pressure very well but because he is simply a better T20 player than ODI player. This is the case with Kohli. It's lazy to combine formats like this.

The 2011 final was a choke, plain and simple. A meager contribution of 35 at a poor SR barely above 70 is not what you expect from a guy like Hafeez or Shehzad in an ODI, let alone Kohli. Gambhir was fantastic in that game and so was Dhoni, Kohli did nothing and had the luxury of coasting through to a WC win.

This brings me back to Babar; he does not have this luxury. Babar had to play a good knock in the CT final, a mere 30 runs wouldn't cut it. He's had to shoulder the burden of the entire nation as soon as he got into the team, Kohli on the other hand was spoon-fed by the likes of Sachin, Sehwag and Dhoni for the first few years of his career.

Given that Babar at 23 is already so adept at handling pressure and being the main man, I can easily see him becoming an ATG ODI batsman once he starts getting into his peak because his base is much stronger than Kohli's.

It's no surprise that Kohli is a superstar, he's an Indian cricketer after all and a pretty good one. That doesn't mean much when it comes to discussing his cricket. Sachin is the biggest cricketing superstar of all time, arguably. Is he the best cricketer of all time? NO.

Yes everyone is entitled to an opinion even if it means some losing their IQ viewing such poor logical content but luckily at least I won't.

Secondly NO you made it loud and clear that Babar was a superior batsman to Kohli because at the time (before NZ series) he was averaging 58 (after bashing WI and SL in UAE) whereas Kohli was some 4-6 runs lower but at a sample set astronomically bigger than the rookie, not to forget scoring runs everywhere against all opposition.

LOOL Babar is not one of the best ODI batters in the world - I can name at least 10-15 who are better. He's currently not even the best batsman in Pakistan let alone in the world.

To actually claim Babar's innings of just 40 odd runs was better than Kohli is a joke. Kohli played in a low scoring affair in tougher conditions, so although his runs are very similar he accounted for a higher % of his team runs whereas Babar came in when Pakistan were in command, so in comparison his runs were soft and only accounted for a low % of Pakistan's 338 total.

Kohli at the same stage of his career was the 5th best Indian batsman because he was playing in an ATG batting line up for crying out loud whereas Babar is playing in a team (like Malik, Hafeez et al) which struggles to attack 140+ pace particularly outside Asia. Kohli ha the likes of SRT, Sehwag, Dhoni and etc. I mean are you going to tell me if Babar was in that Indian team (wouldn't have made the cut but let's say hypothetically) he would have been the best Indian batsman?

Babar Azam will surpass Kohli? This would bring me smiles but the reality is it won't happen because he isn't even half the player - is a walking wicket against spin, can't play steep bounce and has deficiencies on faster wickets evident from the fact you could see the ball was hitting him higher on the bat throughout the series hence the awful display in the ODI series.

As for the lying - none of that is coming from me. I didn't claim Babar Azam was better thank Kohli on the basis of his 58 average...

Yes, you can't really lose something if you never had it. I'm not surprised, given your venomous posts and disrespectful tone over a discussion about cricket.

I know what I said and it certainly did not have to do with Babar being better than Kohli at present. Anyone who has discussed this topic with me knows that I rate Babar higher than Kohli when he was the same age but as of now, Kohli has thousands of runs more than Babar so the latter needs more time.

Babar is one of the best ODI batsmen in the world. You can name whoever you want but unless you provide solid reasons for why these guys are better at present, it'll remain a hollow argument.

How is babar's innings in ct better than kohlis innings in 2011 wc final.

More runs, better strike rate and a better opposition among other things. Why is this even a question?

Just tell me one thing. Name a legendary odi bat who chased 330+ in wc finals . Let kohli play the first innings in knockouts and then you will get to know whether he chokes or not.
Chasing 330+ in knockouts is hell of a chase
even the best of best haven't done that.
Anyone will succumb to such pressure.

He's the "master of chase" according to his fans but apparently he'll do better batting first than second in a high pressure game?

However, I have genuine respect for you agreeing that Kohli has succumed to the pressure of the big games, something some others here need to do as well.

 

[Bilal7]

Average is overrated in T20s at a SR of 120. He needs to get that SR up to 130+ and if he can manage that at his current average, he will be as good as anyone in this format. However, in order to get there, he will have to improve his ball striking.

You don't say that there are 20-30 better footballers than Mesut Ozil just because they score more goals per game. You can't make a rankings list solely on one aspect of the game because it won't be accurate. Babar may not have the best SR but he certainly has the best average and for that he's a world class T20 batsman and one of the best going around. Ditto for ODIs.

 

[Bilal7]

He needs to concentrate on Test Cricket, T20's performance and ratings carries no importance

I agree with this. Would much rather have him in the top 10 of the test rankings than be #1 in T20s. However, this is pretty nice too.

 

[Jabo]

he definitely isn't the real #1 or even the top 10

for him to suceeed though in this format
he must play as an opener

 

[barah_admi]

T20 is not just about International games. Very few teams plays significant T20's.

Just to name a few:

1. Rohit Sharma
2. Virat Kohli
3. David Warner
4. Aaron Finch
5. Buttler
6. David Miller
7. AB Devilliers
8. Joe Root
9. Amla
10. Lynn
11. Maxwell
12. Hales
13. Tamim Iqbal
14. Guptil
15. Kane Williamson
16. Morgan
17. Chris Gayle
18. Smith
19. Lokesh Rahul
20. Colin Munro
21. Guptil

You named Guptil twice. You put in Smith who has been in poor form for almost a year, you listed Gayle who hasn't been impressive in years and looked bad across numerous t20 leagues, you listed Hales, Buttler, Finch and Warner who are all terrific strikers of the ball yet nowhere near as consistent.

Heck, only Kohli, Williamson and Root even average in the same region Babar does in t20s. Neither of them have been part of a team as successful as Pakistan.

 

[Mamoon]

You don't say that there are 20-30 better footballers than Mesut Ozil just because they score more goals per game. You can't make a rankings list solely on one aspect of the game because it won't be accurate. Babar may not have the best SR but he certainly has the best average and for that he's a world class T20 batsman and one of the best going around. Ditto for ODIs.

That is a false analogy. SR for a T20 batsman is far more important than goals for a playmaker/midfielder. There are many great playmakers and midfielders in history who were not goal scorers, but there is not a single great T20 batsman who had a low SR.

 

[Mamoon]

Each player has his strengths and weakenesses and a team needs every type of batsman. You cannot fill your team with sloggers or accumulators, you need a mixture of both to succeed.

Babar has room to improve but it's hilarious to say that there are 20 batsmen better than him in the T20 format.

There is no room for an accumulator in T20s who accumulates at a SR of 110-120. Babar is very much like Williamson in this format. He needs to improve his SR and get it up to 130.

It makes sense because ODIs and T20s require different skill-sets and a particular player may do well in T20 tournaments not because he handles the pressure very well but because he is simply a better T20 player than ODI player. This is the case with Kohli. It's lazy to combine formats like this.

It is not lazy. Tournament pressure is tournament pressure - There is no such thing as a World Cup pressure or a Champions Trophy pressure or a WT20 pressure.

Why does South Africa choke in all tournaments? Simply because its players cannot handle pressure of tournaments, especially when it comes to knockout games. Kohli has shown that he can absorb pressure of tournaments and deliver in crunch games.

The 2011 final was a choke, plain and simple. A meager contribution of 35 at a poor SR barely above 70 is not what you expect from a guy like Hafeez or Shehzad in an ODI, let alone Kohli. Gambhir was fantastic in that game and so was Dhoni, Kohli did nothing and had the luxury of coasting through to a WC win.

It wasn't a choke. Failing to convert your start into a big score is not the same as choking. He came to the crease in the most high pressure game of his career with his team in a precarious position, and he combined with Gambhir to put India back on track. It was the most crucial partnership of the match.

That is not what you call a choke. If he would have choked, he would have been dismissed early. Yes he choked in the 2015 SF, but the 2011 final was a good innings under pressure. Had he converted that into a fifty or a hundred, it would have been a much greater innings.

This brings me back to Babar; he does not have this luxury. Babar had to play a good knock in the CT final, a mere 30 runs wouldn't cut it. He's had to shoulder the burden of the entire nation as soon as he got into the team, Kohli on the other hand was spoon-fed by the likes of Sachin, Sehwag and Dhoni for the first few years of his career.

Kohli's knocks in the 2011 World Cup Final and the 2013 Champions Trophy Final were much better and more significant than Babar riding on the momentum of Fakhar in the 2017 Champions Trophy Final.

Secondly, Babar is not shouldering more responsibility than a young Kohli because he is better. He wouldn't even have made the 2008-2011 Indian team. A young Kohli would have been the backbone of this current Pakistan team ahead of Babar.

Given that Babar at 23 is already so adept at handling pressure and being the main man, I can easily see him becoming an ATG ODI batsman once he starts getting into his peak because his base is much stronger than Kohli's.

It's no surprise that Kohli is a superstar, he's an Indian cricketer after all and a pretty good one. That doesn't mean much when it comes to discussing his cricket. Sachin is the biggest cricketing superstar of all time, arguably. Is he the best cricketer of all time? NO.

Babar is not adept at handling pressure. He has done little apart from scoring on UAE pitches against SL and WI. He needs to prove himself under pressure which he hasn't done so far. He failed in England, he failed in the Champions Trophy and he has also failed in NZ. That is now what you a call player adept at handling pressure.

Yes he has the potential to become a great player in ODIs, but you can be a great player and still be inferior to Kohli, who is GOAT material. His base is not stronger than Kohli's. Kohli was a much better batsman at the same age and he had a mental edge that Babar does not possess.

At a similar age, Kohli scored 183 to chase down 320 against Pakistan, scored 133 against SL in Australia to chase down 320 in less than 40 overs and prevent his team from crashing out, and he also scored a match-winning hundred in a big run chase against Australia.

Babar does not have the caliber to play knocks like these. He will never be anywhere close to Kohli.

Kohli would have been a superstar even if he wouldn't have been Indian. Of course being Indian helps, but you don't have to be one to become a superstar. His performances, hard work and aura have made a superstar of the game.

Babar is not comparable when it comes to work ethic, drive and passion for the game. He has been in the team for 3 years now and he has hardly improved in terms of physique and there is no fire in his belly. He seems like another MoYo in the making who was also a gross underachiever. He had the ability to go down as Pakistan's greatest batsman.

 

[backfootpunch]

Yes, you can't really lose something if you never had it. I'm not surprised, given your venomous posts and disrespectful tone over a discussion about cricket.

I know what I said and it certainly did not have to do with Babar being better than Kohli at present. Anyone who has discussed this topic with me knows that I rate Babar higher than Kohli when he was the same age but as of now, Kohli has thousands of runs more than Babar so the latter needs more time.

Babar is one of the best ODI batsmen in the world. You can name whoever you want but unless you provide solid reasons for why these guys are better at present, it'll remain a hollow argument.

Well yes I clearly never had it that's why I didn't come up that Moeen Ali was going to destroy Australian bowlers when he was the worst player in that Ashes tour, which was no suprise given his weaknesses.

No you definitely claimed Babar Azam was a better batsman at present when he was averaging 58 which sums up your posts on here.

If Babar Azam is one of the best batsman in the world then how do you explain his record outside Asia? In England has failed to score a 50 with a SR of under 80. In Australia his SR was also similar and his average was inflated by a selfish hundred in a 350 run chase. Scoring runs against WI in WI and SL in UAE doesn't prove anything.

He won't surpass Kohli because he's not mentally tough enough and doesn't have his drive. He's far too timid and needs to spend more time in the gym so he can develop some ability in his power hitting.