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[VIDEO] "Virat Kohli is a very big player, I don't think I am anywhere close to him" : Babar Azam

i don't think you know how players become world class. world class tag comes with time.
you are true he is not world class at the momment. but he has all the ingredients to become world class.
one match winning inning against india and you will singing praises for him
Praise gone but that is not a criteria to be labeled ascac world class player. Tag this thread and we will revisit it in 2023
 
The problem we have is Pakistanis are impatient. The play on the pitch reflects the fans off it , and life in general.
One minute up , next minute down.

The amount of times in a 6 month period , we would change our players ( as fans) is worryingly not funny.

If we followed what the fans say on here, we would be trying new players every other series and going back through players.

There is a clear lack of understanding that a team;
Has constituent parts and roles
Not everybody does the same thing
We are slightly behind an England India NZ etc

The management needs to work out the best way of making the total more than the sum of the parts.

Most of PP would have imam out-replaced by who exactly? And how long b4 we ask to replace them.
We had Abid as the king in waiting after 1 odi innings, imam was blocking him, and next game, people were unsure again.

Now we have people unsure on fakhar when for the last year n half we have been saying he is the only modern player we have- who would we replace him with- Salman butt? Lol.
We were singing his praises after the England 150 about 4 weeks ago and now we want him out or down at number 6!

Lots of people on this forum thought Babar bats too slow , so his runs are pointless. He has been striking from ball 1 at hundred pretty much the whole tour, and his consistency has dipped a bit.
Who would we replace this guy with- Asad shafiq? Umar akmal ? Really.??!!!

People bagged Amir pre tour and now they sing his praises.

Same thing happens with shadab ( even though we saw how Yasir went recently in odi :facepalm: )

It's utter confusion . No medium term planning by "fans"
Total lack of understanding about team building
There are many on here that would just knock our players, and then after 6 games drop them and continue to knock the next set of players, drop them and continue.
That is because as a society in general all that keeps us going in life is knocking people down. That is what we as a nation derive satisfaction out of.

Nobody is willing to accept we are probably just outside the top 4 nations in ODI cricket, and that is where we will likely finish.
We will need a bit of luck to get into top 4 for this WC, but there is nobody back home who would change it, this is pretty much our best 15 in terms of getting out a useful combination.
Yes there are marginal decisions about Malik, Abid, shinwari, Junaid but overall that s not gonna make the difference.

What fans need to do for the next 3 weeks is stop spouting nonsense about players in the squad and just get fully behind the team.
Yes there are changes post world cup we can think about but just park that for the next 5 games!

We win tomorrow and we are back in the mix- so support the boys!!!

Pakistan Zindabad
 
i don't think you know how players become world class. world class tag comes with time.
you are true he is not world class at the momment. but he has all the ingredients to become world class.
one match winning inning against india and you will singing praises for him

And you don't know that time it not limitless. That is the problem that people like you don't understand this time game is not forever. I will praise him for a great innings versus India if he is successful but he still won't be world class. Look at how long Kohli has been doing the business for his country. That is what a world class batsman is.
 
And you don't know that time it not limitless. That is the problem that people like you don't understand this time game is not forever. I will praise him for a great innings versus India if he is successful but he still won't be world class. Look at how long Kohli has been doing the business for his country. That is what a world class batsman is.

when did kohli started winning games for india?
 
Hobart 2012 against SL stands out for me as the point at which Kohli became a real match-winner

If so that is seven years back when he was 23! That is one year older then what Babar currently is and he is nowhere near Kohli.
 
If so that is seven years back when he was 23! That is one year older then what Babar currently is and he is nowhere near Kohli.

kohli wasn't became world class at that time too. in same year he failed against pakistan (home series) .
i admit babar is behind kohli but he is one inning away to become world class. once he scored match winning 100. he will start winning matches for pakistan more frequently
 
kohli wasn't became world class at that time too. in same year he failed against pakistan (home series) .
i admit babar is behind kohli but he is one inning away to become world class. once he scored match winning 100. he will start winning matches for pakistan more frequently

In the same year he also scored a freak 183 knock against us in the Asia cup to chase a 300+ target. 2012 was the year where teams started to fear Kohli, even if he hadn't hit the incredible consistency he has now
 
Don't know the date when Kohli started winning matches for India but Babar never has done that for us and most likely never will.

Around 2012 when Sachin n co retired he won 2 games chasing one against sl n other against Pak , against sl we needed to score 340 in 40 overs for qualification. He is different ever since, carried the tag of most important batsman in the team refer since.
 
In the same year he also scored a freak 183 knock against us in the Asia cup to chase a 300+ target. 2012 was the year where teams started to fear Kohli, even if he hadn't hit the incredible consistency he has now

its the culture and system of indian team that helped him a lot in becoming gun player. kohli had the luxury of playing with some of greatest of all time, he had no pressure on him at that time. he was supported by other great batsmen still he has sharma and dhawan. on the other hand babars story is different
 
kohli wasn't became world class at that time too. in same year he failed against pakistan (home series) .
i admit babar is behind kohli but he is one inning away to become world class. once he scored match winning 100. he will start winning matches for pakistan more frequently

What? No way is Babar an innings rather a few series away from being world class. Now is his perfect opportunity to shut up critics like me by winning the match for us. The stage is all set so lets see him do it with a big one. Batting conditions seem to be good as well. One big century still will not make him world class. He has to do it consistently.
 
So we see the "world class" Babar again getting to 44 before being clean bowled. It is the low standards of our fans that is another problem. Most of our fans see a few good innings by someone and start raving about ho great he is. Fans like [MENTION=142309]Sunny_majoka[/MENTION] have no clue what a world class batsman is.
 
So we see the "world class" Babar again getting to 44 before being clean bowled. It is the low standards of our fans that is another problem. Most of our fans see a few good innings by someone and start raving about ho great he is. Fans like [MENTION=142309]Sunny_majoka[/MENTION] have no clue what a world class batsman is.

Today it was just an amazing ball but he has to develop his skills which he can hopefully do. He's the best we have.
 
Today it was just an amazing ball but he has to develop his skills which he can hopefully do. He's the best we have.

Yes he is the best of a bad lot but he is no way near world class. Not even close to it!
 
Babar has the potential to match Kohli, claims Flower

Emulating Virat Kohli is a mere dream for most young batsmen - but Grant Flower believes Babar Azam is well on the path to doing just that after his stylish century downed New Zealand.

Facing an attack that had only conceded 250 once in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 to date, Babar showed few signs of nerves as his match-winning knock of 101 saw the Men in Green to a potentially vital victory.

A star performer during the recent bilateral series against England, the 24-year-old has continued his rich vein of form into the World Cup, with his pivotal innings at Edgbaston serving as his first century in the competition.

And with Babar already ranked as the No.1 T20 batsman in the world, batting coach Flower is confident his charge has what it takes to now kick on and join the pantheon of Pakistan greats - most notably because of the way he battled sickness to shine in Birmingham.

"He's had flu over the last couple of days. Tuesday was the first time I've not seen him hit any balls the day before a match," Flower revealed.

"Confidence-wise, this is definitely his best one (century).

"I've seen him get quite a few hundreds on pretty flat wickets, but this was a tough wicket - it was turning, Ferguson was bowling fast and there was a lot of pressure because of the context of the tournament.

"He is very special. I believe he is going to be one of the best that Pakistan have ever produced. He's really hungry, is fit and still very young.

"I think he'll have a really good career if he keeps his feet on the ground, which I think he will.

"He's got Virat's hunger. I think he could be at some point in the future.

"He's definitely got that hunger, so if you practice as hard as he does, and you have his skills, I can't see why he can't get to the top."

Trailing current incumbents England by three points heading into the Edgbaston clash, victory over the Black Caps leaves Pakistan well in the hunt for a semi-final berth.

With the gap now just a solitary point and Afghanistan up next, Flower is relishing the opportunity to take Eoin Morgan's fancied side and put the cat well and truly among the pigeons.

He added: "It's quite exciting, I think. For the first part of the tournament, it didn't seem like it was going to be, but now there's pressure on some of the top teams. It's good.

"After today, it definitely puts us in a good position. It's just our net run-rate, and obviously, those first few games didn't help us."

ICC media release


d43b9882-f41d-4f35-bbde-83a2b31d6a3e.jpg
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Babar Azam "it was one of my best ever innings" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC19</a> <a href="https://t.co/7UJhjrRapQ">pic.twitter.com/7UJhjrRapQ</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1144133767109455872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Babar Azam "we're not thinking about the 1992 comparison. These are do-or-die matches & we are just planning on winning every match" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvPAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/X82xLwaMS1">pic.twitter.com/X82xLwaMS1</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1144134341552943105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Babar Azam "My target is that I want to be amongst the world's top players" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC19</a> <a href="https://t.co/zd7KbpoDcj">pic.twitter.com/zd7KbpoDcj</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1144138736957087745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Babar has a level head on his shoulders which augurs well for his future. Will go places.
 
Can babar azam break Javid maindad 27 year old record of most run in Single worldcup for Pakistan

Javed Maindad have scored 437 runs from 9 matches in 1992 worldcup which is the most runs for pakistani batsmen in single worldcup

Babar azam so far have scored 333 runs from 7 matches .Babar need 104 runs from remaining 2 matches if pak qualify for semis he will have 3 matches


FireShot Capture 043 - Batting records -_ - http___stats.espncricinfo.com_ci_engine_stats_index..jpg
 
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I think stats are misleading, its way easier to score now than back when Miandad use to play.

Babar may score century against Afg.
 
I think stats are misleading, its way easier to score now than back when Miandad use to play.

Babar may score century against Afg.

It is not easy for our batsmen my friend look at imam,fakhar and hafeez . The above stats shows our batting in worldcup is pathetic from last 15 to 20 years which include our batting greats
 
Javed Maindad have scored 437 runs from 9 matches in 1992 worldcup which is the most runs for pakistani batsmen in single worldcup

Babar azam so far have scored 333 runs from 7 matches .Babar need 104 runs from remaining 2 matches if pak qualify for semis he will have 3 matches


View attachment 93099

Look at Saeed Anwar's record in 1996 world cup. My word!!!!!!
 
Babar lacks the power hitting game and the ability to really turn it on at the end to take the match hands on and win the match single handedly.

That's the biggest factor for me


All players are different. If you want a like for like comparison - I would say Azam can aim to be like Amla at his peak, who was absolute class and who hit each marker, I believe, from 1,000 - 7,000 ODI runs faster than Kohli without any power game. Kohli took Amla through longevity.

Another example would be Joe Root, who I hope Azam can eventually surpass as an ODI player. Again, no power game, but still a great s/r in ODI cricket and will probably end up one of England’s best ODI cricketers barring Buttler, who could become an AB level freak.
 
Kohli is a brilliant player, one of the best ever. Let Babar be Babar! and as we saw yesterday he too is an excellent player.
 
Kohli is a brilliant player, one of the best ever. Let Babar be Babar! and as we saw yesterday he too is an excellent player.

Look at Williamson not a big hitter but plays superb innings, Babar should play like him.

Babar should be the foundation for pak team..
 
Look at Williamson not a big hitter but plays superb innings, Babar should play like him.

Babar should be the foundation for pak team..

He did play like him.On a poor wicket, he produced a performance for the ages Everyone wants all players to be all singing, all dancing but not everyone can be. The likes of Kohli are players for the ages and each player should try to emulate these guys but whilst trying to that they shouldnt lose sight of the fact they too are very good players in their own right.
 
Spot on. 2019 world cup is a bonanza for batsmen. Never seen this many batsmen piling up runs for fun.

CWC15 says hi... 2 double centuries by different batsmen, Sanga scoring 4 centuries and ending up with almost 550 runs in only 7 innings.

This time we have more matches in first round thn WC15 so we will see batsmen ending up with 600 and 700 runs.
 
Babar needs to play the type of innings he played against NZ consistently to get anywhere close to Kholi... he needs that aggression and anger in his batting with his calmness ... chase a few 300+ scores with hundreds and win it for pak ... also he needs to go step by step to get to kholi.. his first target should be Root, the 4th of the Fab 4, if he can replace root in next 6 months, then he needs to challange Willamson, smith and then take a shot at kholi ... so loooong way to go but he will only have his attitude and commitemnt to blame if he doesnt as he has all the skills and temprament to do it
 
Look at Williamson not a big hitter but plays superb innings, Babar should play like him.

Babar should be the foundation for pak team..
Kane is good for chasing below 300 scores, the day Newzealand need to chase 300+ williamson will become a liability.
 
Babar has the potential to match Kohli, claims Flower

Emulating Virat Kohli is a mere dream for most young batsmen - but Grant Flower believes Babar Azam is well on the path to doing just that after his stylish century downed New Zealand.

Facing an attack that had only conceded 250 once in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 to date, Babar showed few signs of nerves as his match-winning knock of 101 saw the Men in Green to a potentially vital victory.

A star performer during the recent bilateral series against England, the 24-year-old has continued his rich vein of form into the World Cup, with his pivotal innings at Edgbaston serving as his first century in the competition.

And with Babar already ranked as the No.1 T20 batsman in the world, batting coach Flower is confident his charge has what it takes to now kick on and join the pantheon of Pakistan greats - most notably because of the way he battled sickness to shine in Birmingham.

"He's had flu over the last couple of days. Tuesday was the first time I've not seen him hit any balls the day before a match," Flower revealed.

"Confidence-wise, this is definitely his best one (century).

"I've seen him get quite a few hundreds on pretty flat wickets, but this was a tough wicket - it was turning, Ferguson was bowling fast and there was a lot of pressure because of the context of the tournament.

"He is very special. I believe he is going to be one of the best that Pakistan have ever produced. He's really hungry, is fit and still very young.

"I think he'll have a really good career if he keeps his feet on the ground, which I think he will.

"He's got Virat's hunger. I think he could be at some point in the future.

"He's definitely got that hunger, so if you practice as hard as he does, and you have his skills, I can't see why he can't get to the top."

Trailing current incumbents England by three points heading into the Edgbaston clash, victory over the Black Caps leaves Pakistan well in the hunt for a semi-final berth.

With the gap now just a solitary point and Afghanistan up next, Flower is relishing the opportunity to take Eoin Morgan's fancied side and put the cat well and truly among the pigeons.

He added: "It's quite exciting, I think. For the first part of the tournament, it didn't seem like it was going to be, but now there's pressure on some of the top teams. It's good.

"After today, it definitely puts us in a good position. It's just our net run-rate, and obviously, those first few games didn't help us."

ICC media release


View attachment 93119

Grant Flower's hard work also in Babar's success.
 
Babar needs to play the type of innings he played against NZ consistently to get anywhere close to Kholi... he needs that aggression and anger in his batting with his calmness ... chase a few 300+ scores with hundreds and win it for pak ... also he needs to go step by step to get to kholi.. his first target should be Root, the 4th of the Fab 4, if he can replace root in next 6 months, then he needs to challange Willamson, smith and then take a shot at kholi ... so loooong way to go but he will only have his attitude and commitemnt to blame if he doesnt as he has all the skills and temprament to do it

Its improbable that Babar will match Kohli.

I would have said impossible but we should never be too sure. However, it is improbable unless he improves miraculously.
 
Its improbable that Babar will match Kohli.

I would have said impossible but we should never be too sure. However, it is improbable unless he improves miraculously.

couple of years ago we would have been jumping with mad joy if we had half a decent batsmen like babar .. so yes, its a long shot but slow and steady, he can get to Kholi.. again kholi was abt par with Babar in his initial 75 odd matches but then went just mad after that innings against SL in hobart so its doable - difficult but possible
 
couple of years ago we would have been jumping with mad joy if we had half a decent batsmen like babar .. so yes, its a long shot but slow and steady, he can get to Kholi.. again kholi was abt par with Babar in his initial 75 odd matches but then went just mad after that innings against SL in hobart so its doable - difficult but possible

I agree with you that Babar is God sent for Pakistan. 5 years ago we all were begging for a batsman half as good as him. But Kohli is really in a league of his own. He is unmatched by any other player from any nation. Which of Kohli's competion is going toe to toe with him? Nobody. He averages 60 at 90+ strike rate in ODIs. This is unheard of in the history of the game. And right now he is at his peak which will continue for next 3 years at least.

Babar is talented. I said its improbable for him to match Kohli, but not impossible. We have seen stranger transformations from the likes of Steven Smith. However consider the following facts when it comes to Pakistan:

1) Unprofessional cricketing set up
2) No previous batting culture
3) Not much focus on effective training and fitness (Virat Kohli's training regime has helped him immensely with his explosive power, Babar is lean but he isnt what you'd call a very fit guy)
4) Very little support from other batsmen.

Babar will have to overcome these factors to reach anywhere near Kohli. Which in other words means that he will have to go against the norm/system in place and do something that only Imran khan had achieved before him as a player and NO ONE has achieved before him as a pure batsman from Pakistan. What are the odds that he will be able to do it? It requires an extremely strong will power to the point of obsession (which as a matter of fact Kohli has eg. Kohli went to play a domestic match next day after his father's death).

Babar doesn't have to be as good as kohli to make an impact. He can be the best batsman across all formats that Pakistan has ever produced. He can leave the likes of Miandad and Inzi behind as well. The way he ensured that he bats till the end in the Newzealand game tells me things have changed in terms of his mindset. He did not want to get out at all which is what we want from him. He should hate getting out and find ways of scoring at a decent click when at the crease.

As Babar grows older, his physique will surely improve. It is bound to happen as it is a natural maturing process and that will give him the power game. He can achieve it earlier if he focusses on his fitness from today. By fitness i dont mean just being lean. Fitness is more more than that. A combination of explosive strength, stamina and endurance.

People including myself have questioned Babar's attitude in pressure situations. Yesterday he showed such a resolve at the crease that it has given me hope that he can handle pressure situations. I now believe he isnt as soft as we thought and that it's just a matter of gaining more experience of playing in such situations.

I really hope that Babar kicks on from here as a genuine match winner for Pakistan. We shouldn't care if he matches kohli's numbers or performances. All we should care about is that the emergence of a natural and technically strong batsman like Babar kick starts a culture of batting in Pakistan. Something that a certain little master did for Pakistan's neighbour in the 90s, the benefits of which they are reaping today.
 
I agree with you that Babar is God sent for Pakistan. 5 years ago we all were begging for a batsman half as good as him. But Kohli is really in a league of his own. He is unmatched by any other player from any nation. Which of Kohli's competion is going toe to toe with him? Nobody. He averages 60 at 90+ strike rate in ODIs. This is unheard of in the history of the game. And right now he is at his peak which will continue for next 3 years at least.

Babar is talented. I said its improbable for him to match Kohli, but not impossible. We have seen stranger transformations from the likes of Steven Smith. However consider the following facts when it comes to Pakistan:

1) Unprofessional cricketing set up
2) No previous batting culture
3) Not much focus on effective training and fitness (Virat Kohli's training regime has helped him immensely with his explosive power, Babar is lean but he isnt what you'd call a very fit guy)
4) Very little support from other batsmen.

Babar will have to overcome these factors to reach anywhere near Kohli. Which in other words means that he will have to go against the norm/system in place and do something that only Imran khan had achieved before him as a player and NO ONE has achieved before him as a pure batsman from Pakistan. What are the odds that he will be able to do it? It requires an extremely strong will power to the point of obsession (which as a matter of fact Kohli has eg. Kohli went to play a domestic match next day after his father's death).

Babar doesn't have to be as good as kohli to make an impact. He can be the best batsman across all formats that Pakistan has ever produced. He can leave the likes of Miandad and Inzi behind as well. The way he ensured that he bats till the end in the Newzealand game tells me things have changed in terms of his mindset. He did not want to get out at all which is what we want from him. He should hate getting out and find ways of scoring at a decent click when at the crease.

As Babar grows older, his physique will surely improve. It is bound to happen as it is a natural maturing process and that will give him the power game. He can achieve it earlier if he focusses on his fitness from today. By fitness i dont mean just being lean. Fitness is more more than that. A combination of explosive strength, stamina and endurance.

People including myself have questioned Babar's attitude in pressure situations. Yesterday he showed such a resolve at the crease that it has given me hope that he can handle pressure situations. I now believe he isnt as soft as we thought and that it's just a matter of gaining more experience of playing in such situations.

I really hope that Babar kicks on from here as a genuine match winner for Pakistan. We shouldn't care if he matches kohli's numbers or performances. All we should care about is that the emergence of a natural and technically strong batsman like Babar kick starts a culture of batting in Pakistan. Something that a certain little master did for Pakistan's neighbour in the 90s, the benefits of which they are reaping today.

extremly well put... agree abs 100% .. i think what was also missing for babar was a father figure to bat with.. Kholi played with likes of Sehwag, SRT, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Laxman, Ganguly, Dravid... God thats a good bunch to learn from, and for Babar lol he was given Ahmad shahzad and haffez and malik ... feel sad on this ..

But watching the last 2 games, i think one of the reasons for him to succeed was the presence of Harris Sohail, who although is junior to him in terms of runs and games, had a massiv impact on babar... he played him put of pressure situation in both games... so i think this partnership will help both of these players and eventually pakistan

fitness is really really important.. i dont have an answer to how we will be importing the international standerds in our team but can only be hopeful .. but yes that is a hugggeee stp forward...

Domestic is soo important really.. i wouldnt mind babar and harris to be sent to county cricket for 4/5 day games.. probably will learn more here than in pak domestic .. but something needs to be done
 
Babar becoming like Kohli is very very difficult but he can be a Pakistani ATG

I think Babar played 1st time in front of such a amazing atmosphere ( Almost 99% Pakistani crowd of Full energy ), Kohli, Root, Smith and Williamson played in that type of atmosphere many times
 
I agree with you that Babar is God sent for Pakistan. 5 years ago we all were begging for a batsman half as good as him. But Kohli is really in a league of his own. He is unmatched by any other player from any nation. Which of Kohli's competion is going toe to toe with him? Nobody. He averages 60 at 90+ strike rate in ODIs. This is unheard of in the history of the game. And right now he is at his peak which will continue for next 3 years at least.

Babar is talented. I said its improbable for him to match Kohli, but not impossible. We have seen stranger transformations from the likes of Steven Smith. However consider the following facts when it comes to Pakistan:

1) Unprofessional cricketing set up
2) No previous batting culture
3) Not much focus on effective training and fitness (Virat Kohli's training regime has helped him immensely with his explosive power, Babar is lean but he isnt what you'd call a very fit guy)
4) Very little support from other batsmen.

Babar will have to overcome these factors to reach anywhere near Kohli. Which in other words means that he will have to go against the norm/system in place and do something that only Imran khan had achieved before him as a player and NO ONE has achieved before him as a pure batsman from Pakistan. What are the odds that he will be able to do it? It requires an extremely strong will power to the point of obsession (which as a matter of fact Kohli has eg. Kohli went to play a domestic match next day after his father's death).

Babar doesn't have to be as good as kohli to make an impact. He can be the best batsman across all formats that Pakistan has ever produced. He can leave the likes of Miandad and Inzi behind as well. The way he ensured that he bats till the end in the Newzealand game tells me things have changed in terms of his mindset. He did not want to get out at all which is what we want from him. He should hate getting out and find ways of scoring at a decent click when at the crease.

As Babar grows older, his physique will surely improve. It is bound to happen as it is a natural maturing process and that will give him the power game. He can achieve it earlier if he focusses on his fitness from today. By fitness i dont mean just being lean. Fitness is more more than that. A combination of explosive strength, stamina and endurance.

People including myself have questioned Babar's attitude in pressure situations. Yesterday he showed such a resolve at the crease that it has given me hope that he can handle pressure situations. I now believe he isnt as soft as we thought and that it's just a matter of gaining more experience of playing in such situations.

I really hope that Babar kicks on from here as a genuine match winner for Pakistan. We shouldn't care if he matches kohli's numbers or performances. All we should care about is that the emergence of a natural and technically strong batsman like Babar kick starts a culture of batting in Pakistan. Something that a certain little master did for Pakistan's neighbour in the 90s, the benefits of which they are reaping today.

POTW this. Excellent post with balanced insight.
 
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