Which has been Babar Azam's best ODI knock so far?

[msb314]

The choices are as follows:

1) 54 vs Zimbabwe - it was his debut and he had to bat with lower order after Pakistan had been reduced to 211/6 but ensured we got to 296/9. The match was washed out so it loses it value.

2) 83 vs NZ - This knock was my favorite! He had to bat against Southee/Boult in hostile conditions. He played Milne with ease (who was bowling at express pace) and played many wonderful strokes. Unfortunately we lost the series 2-0

3) 120 vs WI - it was his first century and made in the first ODI against WI in 2016. Ensured we got to 284 which was a winning total.

4) 123 vs WI - Back to back centuries against WI which ensured we reached 337 and comfortably won the match.

5) 117 vs WI - Now 3 consecutive centuries by Babar! We reached 307 and easily whitewashed the WI in the UAE 3-0.

6) 100 vs Australia - This is my 2nd favorite knock! His hundred was made in Australia chasing 360 odd so it has high value IMO. Played some great strokes and just about kept up with the asking rate. Ensured we scored 300+ against Australia for only the 2nd time.

7) 125 vs WI - After losing the first ODI when WI made a record 300+ chase. Pakistan rebounded strongly led by Babar's century. Out total of 282/5 was more than enough for WI.

Comment below and choose your favorite Babar knock!

 

[Rayyman]

I will vote for #7.

Considering WI chased 300+ in the previous game, Pakistan had to get a good total on the board. And with the rest of the team falling like a pack of cards, Babar stood still and scored runs. He formed a great partnership with Imad at the end and they finished the innings very well.

That straight drive six from Babar was breathtaking. ( [MENTION=141557]Chief Destroyer[/MENTION] ) And this showed me that Babar does have a 4th gear.

So I will vote for his most recent 100.

 

[Rayyman]

I will vote for #7.

Considering WI chased 300+ in the previous game, Pakistan had to get a good total on the board. And with the rest of the team falling like a pack of cards, Babar stood still and scored runs. He formed a great partnership with Imad at the end and they finished the innings very well.

That straight drive six from Babar was breathtaking. ( [MENTION=141557]Chief Destroyer[/MENTION] ) And this showed me that Babar does have a 4th gear.

So I will vote for his most recent 100.

Btw I am talking about this match

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MCkrWYphgYo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

From 0-10:46

Also the six from Babar at 10:39

 

[msb314]

Btw I am talking about this match

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MCkrWYphgYo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

From 0-10:46

Also the six from Babar at 10:39

Yes that was also a great knock - thanks for the video!

Yeah that straight six was pure timing!

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

I don't know why but I believe by the end of his career Babar will have more match loosing knocks than match winning one.

Doesn't necessarily inspire me with any confidence whatsoever

 

[ExpressPacer]

I personally rate his innings in the Champions Trophy final played under a world of pressure, in tricky conditions and against "pretty good" bowlers instead if his hundreds vs the West Indies. Now before you attack me for this post, bear with me. He came in at a time when the team was struggling and he could have easily played risky cricket to get a couple of extra runs and thrown his wicket away, but he didn't.

He made sure he steadied the ship but all the while he kept his strike rate over 100. He didn't take any risks but he hit so many consecutive boundaries. Azhar and Fakhar had set a beautiful platform but that's happened numerous times before with our openers giving us a genuine chance and the middle order throwing it away but not this time, not on Babar's watch. The beautiful thing about the innings was that when he'd realised that the tempo was now set, he didn't continue to block, knowing there were plenty of batsman to come.

As to why he got out without scoring a 50 is another debate but in the grand scheme of things, his 46 will remain invaluable for a long period of time compared to some ordinary hundred.

 

[Zeshan547]

I don't know why but I believe by the end of his career Babar will have more match loosing knocks than match winning one.

Doesn't necessarily inspire me with any confidence whatsoever

I second that, he is more in mould of sachin than kohli sadly.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Century in oz.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

I don't know why but I believe by the end of his career Babar will have more match loosing knocks than match winning one.

Doesn't necessarily inspire me with any confidence whatsoever

He is the best Pakistani batter since Yousuf. He is going to become a mega matchwinner.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

He is the best Pakistani batter since Yousuf. He is going to become a mega matchwinner.

I hope so too my friend, but his game has quite a few glitches which I am afraid could hamper his progress.

I sincerely wish that I am proven wrong though !

 

[msb314]

I personally rate his innings in the Champions Trophy final played under a world of pressure, in tricky conditions and against "pretty good" bowlers instead if his hundreds vs the West Indies. Now before you attack me for this post, bear with me. He came in at a time when the team was struggling and he could have easily played risky cricket to get a couple of extra runs and thrown his wicket away, but he didn't.

He made sure he steadied the ship but all the while he kept his strike rate over 100. He didn't take any risks but he hit so many consecutive boundaries. Azhar and Fakhar had set a beautiful platform but that's happened numerous times before with our openers giving us a genuine chance and the middle order throwing it away but not this time, not on Babar's watch. The beautiful thing about the innings was that when he'd realised that the tempo was now set, he didn't continue to block, knowing there were plenty of batsman to come.

As to why he got out without scoring a 50 is another debate but in the grand scheme of things, his 46 will remain invaluable for a long period of time compared to some ordinary hundred.

His SR was about 70 for most of his innings u til he picked it up to about 90 after Falhar's dismissal. It was never over a 100.

 

[ExpressPacer]

His SR was about 70 for most of his innings u til he picked it up to about 90 after Falhar's dismissal. It was never over a 100.

Right, I confused 100 and 90. Nonetheless, the 46(52) he made in our shaky middle-order in such a crucial situation is invaluable and his best knock.

 

[hadi123]

I would say that knock against NZ. He was destroying some of the best bowlers all over the park so easily

 

[silentkiller187]

I personally rate his innings in the Champions Trophy final played under a world of pressure, in tricky conditions and against "pretty good" bowlers instead if his hundreds vs the West Indies. Now before you attack me for this post, bear with me. He came in at a time when the team was struggling and he could have easily played risky cricket to get a couple of extra runs and thrown his wicket away, but he didn't.

He made sure he steadied the ship but all the while he kept his strike rate over 100. He didn't take any risks but he hit so many consecutive boundaries. Azhar and Fakhar had set a beautiful platform but that's happened numerous times before with our openers giving us a genuine chance and the middle order throwing it away but not this time, not on Babar's watch. The beautiful thing about the innings was that when he'd realised that the tempo was now set, he didn't continue to block, knowing there were plenty of batsman to come.

As to why he got out without scoring a 50 is another debate but in the grand scheme of things, his 46 will remain invaluable for a long period of time compared to some ordinary hundred.

spot on, then he got himself out at the right time and allowed professor to come in and finish the job

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Impact wise Babar's 31 against SA. Was crucial in getting us over the line against good bowling of Morkel etc. Yes he did struggle but it was important he fought it hard and didnt get out. Allowed Malik to play freely according to Duckworth Lewis scenario whle the other end was covered.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

I would say that knock against NZ. He was destroying some of the best bowlers all over the park so easily

Them straight drives to Milne though

 

[PakSarZameen]

been disappointed by babar off late. then again, this is typical from pakistan bats.

 

[Hasan123]

His 83 vs NZ was brilliant. The way him and Hafeez countered attack the bowling after a pathetic start from Azhar and Shehzad was great to watch.

Also liked his century versus West Indies in West Indies.

 

[msb314]

His 83 vs NZ was brilliant. The way him and Hafeez countered attack the bowling after a pathetic start from Azhar and Shehzad was great to watch.

Also liked his century versus West Indies in West Indies.

Yes that was my favorite too.

 

[msb314]

Impact wise Babar's 31 against SA. Was crucial in getting us over the line against good bowling of Morkel etc. Yes he did struggle but it was important he fought it hard and didnt get out. Allowed Malik to play freely according to Duckworth Lewis scenario whle the other end was covered.

Sorry but not enough runs for me to be considered a great knock.

 

[msb314]

spot on, then he got himself out at the right time and allowed professor to come in and finish the job

Decent innings but not one of the best IMO.

As [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] had said in one of the earlier threads a few months ago - it was probably a 6/10 innings. Should have played faster for it to have been considered a more significant knock.

 

[hussain.r97]

His 83 in NZ. I may be biased though because I was at the stadium!

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Sorry but not enough runs for me to be considered a great knock.

Babar hasn't played any great knock yet and that is coming from Babar's biggest fan. He has played good innings till now and that's it.. And among those I think the one against SA was better impact wise or if u want some high scoring then the one agaisnt NZ...

Babar is a kid and we will see better innings from him in future ..

 

[mak36]

Babar hasn't played any great knock yet and that is coming from Babar's biggest fan. He has played good innings till now and that's it.. And among those I think the one against SA was better impact wise or if u want some high scoring then the one agaisnt NZ...

Babar is a kid and we will see better innings from him in future ..

How do you rate his game against spin?

To me, it seems a part of his batting he needs to work on (which I am sure he will).

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Babar bhai is yet to play a match-winning knock against a good bowling attack (aus, sa, nz, eng, ind) in ODIs

 

[Suleiman]

Babar bhai is yet to play a match-winning knock against a good bowling attack (aus, sa, nz, eng, ind) in ODIs

Came here to say the same. He hasn't played his best knock yet. Currently I'd say the Aussie knock was the best one but even there he was playing second fiddle to Sharjeel, without Sharjeel he couldn't keep going, also he kept running out of partners.

He is yet to play a dominating knock vs the top sides. That too will happen once he sorts out his current issues, namely his stride when playing on the front foot.

Time will tell.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Came here to say the same. He hasn't played his best knock yet. Currently I'd say the Aussie knock was the best one but even there he was playing second fiddle to Sharjeel, without Sharjeel he couldn't keep going, also he kept running out of partners.

He is yet to play a dominating knock vs the top sides. That too will happen once he sorts out his current issues, namely his stride when playing on the front foot.

Time will tell.

That aussie knock was so selfish tho. He completely disregarded the RRR in that innings.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The knock against kiwis was excellent, sadly he got bogged down for a few balls and threw it away. He should have got a big 100 or 150+ in that inns. Still has a lot to learn as a batsmen.

 

[hadi123]

That aussie knock was so selfish tho. He completely disregarded the RRR in that innings.

I disagree. Sharjeel Khan was smashing it at the other end, Babar Azam played the supporting act.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

How do you rate his game against spin?

To me, it seems a part of his batting he needs to work on (which I am sure he will).

Yes really needs to work on his game against spin. May be add more shots like sweep shot etc.. or something which Gambhir used to do using feet coming down the ground and lofting the ball over mid wicket.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

I disagree. Sharjeel Khan was smashing it at the other end, Babar Azam played the supporting act.

Sir when you're chasing 370, even the supporting act has to be at a run a ball. And it's not as if Sharjeel had a SR of 200 himself.

Even after Sharjeel's dismissal, Babar was well below the RRR.

Mickey needs to stop over hyping him, and have a serious chat with him regarding his problems. It's good to praise youngsters and give them confidence, but they need to be made aware of their deficiencies.

 

[ads101]

He's had very few stand out innings for a man that averages over 50, he's just been very consistent. The new zealand knock was the best IMO. He looked pretty much untroubled in the WI knocks, just hard to rate as his best knock when WI seem so mediocre these days at home, and so many of our batsmen seem to perform against them even in WI. NZ in NZ is actually tough (NZ are tough anywhere really).

Still not really a problem, most batsmen start off like that, those match defining knocks come with time. He's already far more consistent than the vast majority at that age/no. of games, and is already better than his other team mates who some have decades of experience.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

I don't know why but I believe by the end of his career Babar will have more match loosing knocks than match winning one.

Doesn't necessarily inspire me with any confidence whatsoever

Didn't expect this long of impatience and shortsightedness from you. Babar will go down as our best ODI batsman

 

[marlonbrowndo]

That aussie knock was so selfish tho. He completely disregarded the RRR in that innings.

Yes he should've swung from the hip against an attack of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins with boundaries of that size.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Babar will go down as our best ODI batsman

Exactly IA.
Please have patience guys

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Yes he should've swung from the hip against an attack of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins with boundaries of that size.

His innings had two phases:

1.) He was with Sharjeel and his job should have been trying to score run-a-ball since we were chasing 370 and Sharjeel's SR wasn't as high as some people here are making it out to be. He played many dot balls in that phase and didn't do what he should've done (you're entitled to disagree). His strike rate was in the 70s was a large portion of the innings which is criminal when chasing 370 (again, you're entitled to disagree).

2.) When Sharjeel got out, he should have taken the initiative and hit more boundaries along with improve his strike rotation. He did increase his SR after Sharjeel got out, but it wasn't immediately after his dismissal which allowed the RR to creep up. Even when he did start playing a bit aggressively, he still wasn't trying as much as he should've. If the situation demands that you take chances against Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins, then you do play risky shots against those bowlers.

Babar, currently, is the best Pak batsmen if we're chasing mediocre totals since he has the hunger to score runs and can play longer innings. But he falls short when the situation demands him to start aggressively. It's not about his talent and ability, it's about his mindset.

If you remember, he played a maiden in the group match against India in CT17 when the required rate was over 7.5. That's simply not acceptable.

He has immense potential, but he definitely needs to increase his SR if he wants to be counted among the best in the world and win more matches for Pakistan against good bowling attacks.

 

[The_Odd_One]

TBH he has not played a great ODI knock yet.

Both of his best test and ODI knocks came in NZ.

Specially, his 90 no something in a low scoring tests was one of the best knocks played by a Pakistani batsman in challenging conditions.