Kamran Akmal's 113 against India VS Babar Azam's 196 against Australia

[Major]

The one innings for which Kamran Akmal is remembered for is his innings of 113 that not only saved that test but also won us the series. (indians only remember pathan hattrick )

The test against Australia, everyone had accepted defeat, but Babar out of no where played this crazy innings. No one expected this. double centuries, 150+ were scores we used to expect from Younis Khan and Misbah to support him.

But Babar not only saved Pakistan from losing this match, but the test series stays alive for Pakistan with the final match to be played out in Lahore.

Keeping the above thing in mind, which innings would you choose?

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Babar's 196.

He proved so many people wrong. Me including.

It was a unique innings. One we may never see again in our lifetimes.

Oh and Rizwan is a warrior. What a champion.

 

[Major]

Babar also batted for two days straight. 10 hours of batting

 

[sweep_shot]

Babar's 196 easily.

No competition.

 

[Sidilicious]

This is more comparable to Mohali 2005.

The 2006 one was better as that actually won you the test

 

[ARK Rafay]

Babar's 196 easily. Kamran's came in the first innings batting first. Babar saved Pakistan from an embarrassing defeat to having Aussies bowl all day at him and saving the test.

 

[topspin]

Kamran Akmal had a lot more pressure. They were 39/6 and on the verge of losing a home series against India. His innings shades it for me.

I saw a post comparing Babar Azam's 196 to Shafiq's Adelaide "heroics". However, the latter pales in comparison.

 

[Forum363]

Laughable thread!

Kamran’s innings was on a pitch where the ball swung to an unplayable level but after 15 odd overs, it became an absolute road of the highest order.

There’s a reason the lower order players like Razaq and Akhtar out scored the ATG top order of both India and Pakistan.

Kamran gets a lot of accolades for that innings purely because it was one of those instances where the conditions change massively after the new ball. That innings is almost as overrated as Jofra Archer.

To compare that to Babar batting for 2 days against Cummins and co is ridiculous.

 

[We Bleed Green]

Kamran Akmal became a legend with that century. Forum members, who are voting for Babar are probably not hardcore fans. That century ensured we not only won the match but won the series.

I have seen replays of Karachi test again and again but no one will ever replay this match in future.

Kamran Akmal century trumps Babar 196 easily

 

[Energy]

Kamran's innings. The result, and the drama around that match is unmatched.

 

[Srtfan]

Akmal match saving hundred in Mohali is also high class inning

 

[Rana]

Something that sets up a win against arch rival India is unmatched

 

[Fahdi]

Akmal's Karachi innings is still better I'd say. The pitch and the pressure of the situation puts that knock a level above this one I think.

 

[Major]

Laughable thread!

Kamran’s innings was on a pitch where the ball swung to an unplayable level but after 15 odd overs, it became an absolute road of the highest order.

There’s a reason the lower order players like Razaq and Akhtar out scored the ATG top order of both India and Pakistan.

Kamran gets a lot of accolades for that innings purely because it was one of those instances where the conditions change massively after the new ball. That innings is almost as overrated as Jofra Archer.

To compare that to Babar batting for 2 days against Cummins and co is ridiculous.

before calling it laughable why not bother to read the opinions that are coming in and believe that kamrans was better

 

[Varun]

Why is Kamran's (and Razzaq's) innings at Mohali forgotten?

 

[ExpressPacer]

Kamran’s innings easily. Like you said, he not only saved the Test match but also won it. Had Babar Azam won this game for us, I would have maybe said that Babar’s was the better innings but not over a drawn game where he barely went for the chase.

 

[shaz619]

Babar’s by a country mile, it came in the 4th innings under immense pressure and he is also the captain. In fact it’s one of the all time great knocks, many years from now we will give it even more praise. The way Babar batted after getting his 50 under that amount of pressure of unreal. Best Test match knock by an asian batsman in the last 10 years, Babar batted like a personified GOAT.

Babar also put butts on seats and is great to watch, that should count for something to!

 

[the Great Khan]

Kamran Akmal became a legend with that century. Forum members, who are voting for Babar are probably not hardcore fans. That century ensured we not only won the match but won the series.

I have seen replays of Karachi test again and again but no one will ever replay this match in future.

Kamran Akmal century trumps Babar 196 easily

I watched that on TV. Woke up to watch that match. This is a hard one. I love that innings. Ultimately we won that match because of our bowling but kami saved us that day..

I'll be controversial and say Babars innings just shades it for me. It was a marathon match saving fighting innings. Just pure grit and sheer class. These sort of innings elevate teams and players..

 

[msb314]

Why is Kamran's (and Razzaq's) innings at Mohali forgotten?

Same reason this innings by Babar will eventually be forgotten - because we didn’t win..

 

[msb314]

Definitely Kamran Akmal.

He rescued us from 39/6 in a series decider against India at home - epic stuff

Not sure I agree that the pitch flattened out since India also were bowled out for only 245.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Kakmal, he won you the game and also series with that knock.

 

[Saurav]

Kamran. From 39/6 on a green track he gave Pak a defendable total and Pak got back in. Though I feel match was won by Asif due to movement he got on a dead pitch.

Babar and Rizwan were batting on a patta

 

[The lone Ranger]

Ofcourse Kamran's innings as it was scored on a difficult pitch and helped pakistan winning the game.
Whereas Babar scored on a dead pitch with some dropped catches helped him. It looked like he was only caring about his personal milestones otherwise he could have gone for the win.

 

[Pakhs]

Kamran. From 39/6 on a green track he gave Pak a defendable total and Pak got back in. Though I feel match was won by Asif due to movement he got on a dead pitch.

Babar and Rizwan were batting on a patta

It was not a flat track but was made to look so by less than average Australian spinners. Lyon who has struggled to take wickets on slow tracks for a while now on 4th innings actually got 4 if he had a decent spinner with him they would have won.

If Indian or even Lankan spinners were bowling there is no way this epic come back was possible better batting line ups would not be able to do it. Its still the 4th and 5th day pitch and there was enough in different bounce and turn Australia should be concerned about their spinners tbh.

Now to the topic Kamran Akmal innings was better and definitely more important. Its actually one the most historic innings between the two cricketing rivals. If it was played by a better player say Sachin or Inzimam people would be using it as an example of their greatness.

 

[ammar_merry]

• Shoaib Malik's 148* in 2006 vs peak murali and Co to save the test match is very underrated inning.

 

[shamaan]

Without a show of a doubt Babar Azam Innings to bat 2 days against an excellent bowling line up with the ball having variable bounce.

 

[Majid Khan]

Great innings by Babar Azam , it’s been a while since we have seen such a tremendous display of batting under pressure in a test match by a Pakistani batsman, that too against a good bowling attack - can’t recall that happening since Hafeez’s retirement from test cricket some years back.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Babar/Shafique and Rizwans knocks were in a situation where we had to bat for two full days, Also with 2 wickets lost early on all 3 had to bat a huge length of time. 2nd longest last inns to save a game so this ranks above Kamrans effort.

We have seen some good last day batting efforts but 2 full days is usually unheard of.

 

[Bewal Express]

Kamis innings was better because it was against Ind in Ind and Razzaq also played his best test innings. Babars innings was also brilliant.

 

[DHONI183]

Kamran Akmal's 113 against India VS Babar Azam's 196 and Rizwan's 104 against Australia

It is very difficult to compare innings played against different teams, on different pitches, in different eras, and in different match situations and scenarios. I'm not the one to go into comparisons, but there`re different kind emotions and teenage life memories attached with Kamran`s innings, and those were the times when I would bother to watch Test cricket, which is clearly not the case anymore. So, I would pick that for purely personal reasons, and add to it the fact that it came against India.

However, just how good and how admirable is Babar Azam? Clearly his career`s best Test innings and one of the best innings ever played by a Pakistan batsman. To bat for so long takes a tremendous amount of effort. A really great team effort. Take a bow!

 

[Rathore]

kami-razzaq was way better coming at 36-6 and putting match winning innings against arch rival on dangerous pitch. i dnt think babar can ever won you a match under pressure like kamran akmal-razzaq did, they play for team not for personal milestones.

 

[Ashmal]

kami-razzaq was way better coming at 36-6 and putting match winning innings against arch rival on dangerous pitch. i dnt think babar can ever won you a match under pressure like kamran akmal-razzaq did, they play for team not for personal milestones.

So Babar played 2 days for personal milestone...

 

[Kroll]

Kamran Akmal had a lot more pressure. They were 39/6 and on the verge of losing a home series against India. His innings shades it for me.

I saw a post comparing Babar Azam's 196 to Shafiq's Adelaide "heroics". However, the latter pales in comparison.

Agreed, definitely wouldn't trade either of Babar's innings or Akmal's. Akmal saved the day against the arch enemy, and that is also worth its weight in gold.

 

[topspin]

Agreed, definitely wouldn't trade either of Babar's innings or Akmal's. Akmal saved the day against the arch enemy, and that is also worth its weight in gold.

I think most posters will opt for Babar's innings for 2 reasons:

1. Recency bias
2. Kamran Akmal isn't a likeable guy and lost a lot of respect from Pakistan fans following his Sydney test antics

 

[DRsohail]

Babar easily, thta was easy wicekt after new ball

 

[Forum363]

Definitely Kamran Akmal.

He rescued us from 39/6 in a series decider against India at home - epic stuff

Not sure I agree that the pitch flattened out since India also were bowled out for only 245.

It’s not that it flattened out, it was just a pitch where the batting was ridiculously hard with the new ball for about 15 overs and then almost suddenly became a complete road.

That’s why even Shuaib Akhtar was comfortably able to get runs. Kamran was lucky he batted so low, had he come in a couple of over earlier, he would have barely lasted two balls with his rubbish technique.

 

[Ashmal]

Interesting....

In the context of series...Akmal's was a better innings

But in pure cricketing terms....Babar's knock was better as it came against a great attack in 4th inngs while Akmal smashed a pretty poor Indian attack

 

[Kroll]

Interesting....

In the context of series...Akmal's was a better innings

But in pure cricketing terms....Babar's knock was better as it came against a great attack in 4th inngs while Akmal smashed a pretty poor Indian attack

A poor attack that had Pakistan on the ropes at 39/6...

Let's be honest, cos its Akmal, it won't get the level of accolades if it was done by a more likable player.

 

[shariqnoor]

Kamran Akmal's. Context is important.

Pakistan lost 2003/04 Test series at home to India.

Pakistan are 39/6 and on the verge of losing ANOTHER home series to India.

In comes Kamran Akmal on a green top with Irfan bowling banana swing and he smashes a century.

Allows Pakistan to post about 250 which enables them to win the match and the series.

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On the other hand, Pakistan are slotted to lose the Test match against Australia as nobody bats 172 overs in the last innings.

Therefore, at least on Day 4, there isn't much pressure on Babar. If he gets out, its not a big problem as everyone expects Pakistan to lose.

Even if Pakistan lose, there is still a 3rd Test match which Pakistan can potentially win and draw the series.

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So yes, Kamran's innings trumps Babar easily for me.

 

[Shazzam]

For me a win is more important than a draw. If I am spending 5 days to watch a match I am doing it for a result. So thats why my pick is Kamran Akmal.

 

[Zaz]

Even though this was a brilliant knock by Babar E Azam Akmals karachi knock was better in the context of the match situation and the difference between a series loss or win at home against india

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Babar walked in at 21/2 against his arch-enemy Cummins going on full throttle.

He batted for 603 minutes on 4th/5th day to ensure the draw.

Maybe from a match/series context Kami's innings is better but from an individual batting point of view, this is legendary stuff.

The world cup 100 against ATG NZ ODI attack in testing conditions and this 196 are Babar at his best. So far!

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Just some numbers to highlight how extraordinary these 2 innings by Babar and Rizwan are:

196 Babar Azam is now the proud owner of the highest fourth-innings Test score against Australia, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara's 192, made in Hobart in 2007. Babar's effort places him seventh against all comers on a list headed up by the inimitable George Headley, who scored 223 to save a Test against England in Jamaica, 1930.

425 Babar's tally of balls faced is the fourth most in the fourth innings of a Test, and the second-most against Australia after Herb Sutcliffe's 462-ball Ashes epic way back in 1928. Former England captain Mike Atherton's famous 492-ball 185no against South Africa in 1995 tops this list.

104no Mohammad Rizwan is just the fourth wicketkeeper to make a fourth-innings Test century in a win or a draw, following on from Adam Gilchrist (1999), Matt Prior and AB de Villiers (both 2013).

7-443 This is the second time in recent years Pakistan have scored more than 400 in the fourth innings of a Test against Australia, having piled on 450 in a losing cause at the Gabba in 2016. Prior to that, it had only happened six times against the Aussies, and surprisingly, before this Test it had never happened in Asia.

Source: https://www.cricket.com.au/news/sta...test-babar-rizwan-swepson-shafique/2022-03-17

 

[Ashmal]

A poor attack that had Pakistan on the ropes at 39/6...

Let's be honest, cos its Akmal, it won't get the level of accolades if it was done by a more likable player.

Yup...39/6 was mostly due to the conditions otherwise that Indian attack was nothing special which showed in the 2nd inngs when they got spanked for 600+ as the pitch flattened

IMO if we look at full context of the series/arch-rivals/series-decider then Akmal wins it.

But if we judge purely on basis of batsmanship then Babar's knock was better...batting for 2 days against a great Aussie attack is an incredible feat

 

[Kroll]

Yup...39/6 was mostly due to the conditions otherwise that Indian attack was nothing special which showed in the 2nd inngs when they got spanked for 600+ as the pitch flattened

IMO if we look at full context of the series/arch-rivals/series-decider then Akmal wins it.

But if we judge purely on basis of batsmanship then Babar's knock was better...batting for 2 days against a great Aussie attack is an incredible feat

Of course, no denying it, that's why its fruitless trying to pin one over the other, lets cherish both.

 

[James]

Babar was superb… amazing stuff.

But as much as it pains me to admit it — mainly because I don’t particularly like Kamran Akmal — his famous counterattack from 39/6 (I remember watching it all unfold in the PP commentary thread ) against ye olde enemy was the stuff of legends.

 

[Kroll]

Babar was superb… amazing stuff.

But as much as it pains me to admit it — mainly because I don’t particularly like Kamran Akmal — his famous counterattack from 39/6 (I remember watching it all unfold in the PP commentary thread ) against ye olde enemy was the stuff of legends.

That would have been amazing, would that thread be archived in the PP vaults? Would love to view it.

 

[hitthestump]

I'm surprised there's even a comparison to be had.

- Babar batted for 10 hours without getting out
- Versus an almost ATG attack
- On a day 5 pitch
- With all the pressure of idiots calling for his head if Pak were to lose the game

Kamran's effort was brilliant but Babar's today...that was something else.

 

[James]

That would have been amazing, would that thread be archived in the PP vaults? Would love to view it.

Yes we have a Commentary Threads forum going back to January 2005 where they all get archived.

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/forumdisplay.php?59-Commentary-Threads

 

[TheSultan]

These innings are not comparable. Kamran’s 113 was a counter attack, these were rearguard actions.

The comparable akmal innings is when he batted out a draw against India in India. All of them great innings but babar’s innings tops it for me because it was against a better attack and he batted the bulk of the 4th innings.

 

[Usman Chadda]

I think most posters will opt for Babar's innings for 2 reasons:

1. Recency bias
2. Kamran Akmal isn't a likeable guy and lost a lot of respect from Pakistan fans following his Sydney test antics

Shocked by the responses coming in from seasoned posters here, Kamran’s innings was on another level altogether. It’s one of the ATG knocks in Test cricket, purely because how he single-handedly swung the momentum massively in our favor after the team was 39/6. The innings was the perfect example of a counter attack, if there ever was one.

Babar’s knock was also epic, but in terms of the situation, Kamran’s innings is head and shoulders above.

 

[Titan24]

In terms of the conditions (4th, 5th day pitch with cracks), the opposition (No 1 test team), their bowling attack (One of the best in the last decade or so) and the amount of resilience which was required with team required to play 171 odd overs I dont think there are many better innings in terms of showing grit, concentration and determination. Not to forget that Babar is naturally a stroke maker so it was a new page turner for him to be able to control his natural instincts or at least apply them very carefully.

Kamran's knock was a blinder as well considering the situation and pressure scenario he came in. However, as we are comparing so few points worth mentioning would be that there was nothing much in that first day wicket other than the moving new ball which was not much there after 10 overs when Kami came in. Secondly, Kami had to do nothing much to control what his natural game was rather on a first day flat track he played his natural aggressive game (Credit to him that he was able to play that in such a scenario) and played a top counter attacking knock. However, on that flat deck Pak pacers deserve a huge credit to bring them in the game after that first innings total of 245.

Overall, Kamran might have had more pressure considering the match was vs India and situation was tough but if we take into account overall cricketing aspects I think Babar knocks possibly surpasses him considering all the things I have mentioned in the first paragraph. Always difficult to compare two iconic knocks. Kamran's knock without a doubt will be considered one of the most iconic counter attacking knocks in test cricket considering the scale of the series and epic rivalry while Babar's knock will be counted as one of the extraordinary stories of grit, determination and resilience.

 

[topspin]

Shocked by the responses coming in from seasoned posters here, Kamran’s innings was on another level altogether. It’s one of the ATG knocks in Test cricket, purely because how he single-handedly swung the momentum massively in our favor after the team was 39/6. The innings was the perfect example of a counter attack, if there ever was one.

Babar’s knock was also epic, but in terms of the situation, Kamran’s innings is head and shoulders above.

Babar is a much better batsman but I'm sure even he would happily admit that the innings played by his elder cousin is superior.

Recency bias is a thing and given that Kamran Akmal isn't exactly a revered figure in Pakistan cricket, it's easy to forget how good that innings was. Possibly one of the five greatest centuries ever scored by a Pakistani cricketer.

 

[James]

Shocked by the responses coming in from seasoned posters here, Kamran’s innings was on another level altogether. It’s one of the ATG knocks in Test cricket, purely because how he single-handedly swung the momentum massively in our favor after the team was 39/6. The innings was the perfect example of a counter attack, if there ever was one.

Babar’s knock was also epic, but in terms of the situation, Kamran’s innings is head and shoulders above.

I tend to agree, but as you say we seem to be in the minority opinion on this one.

Kamran Akmal — not a nice person, not a good sport, not a decent guy by any measure. But that innings was incredible. Less than a 1% chance of Pak winning the Test match from such a dire early position with the innings in tatters, and yet he delivered.

 

[Kroll]

[MENTION=1842]James[/MENTION], thanks but I thought you had pasted the actual match thread

No problem, I managed to dig it out, although match day commentary threads after day 2 are not there.

Babar's knock was epic, but any PP'er wanting a visit down memory lane with that famous Kami knock, here you go - Pakistan vs India, 3rd Test, Karachi: Day 1

Pakistan vs India, 3rd Test, Karachi: Day 2

Also noted, Shoaiby was bowling at 95+ mph! and Asif was seaming the ball both ways.