Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. (Photo Source: ICC)
Babar Azam has surpassed Virat Kohli’s record for the most runs in T20Is with his 44-run knock against the United States of America in the T20 World Cup 2024 game. While Pakistanis and his fans are ecstatic about the milestone, some pundits back home and around the world have remarked that the batter has scored most of his runs against smaller teams. Babar has been the star batter for Pakistan and enjoys ample stardom at home.
As Pakistan will take on India in the intense T20 World Cup 2024 clash, former Pakistani spinner, Danish Kaneria has come hard on Babar. With debates circulating around comparing the Pakistan skipper to Indian star batter Kohli, Kaneria quipped that the former is nowhere near to Indian legend. Kaneria also highlighted how the 30-year-old struggled against minnows, the USA bowling lineup due to which Pakistan eventually lost.
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“As soon as Babar Azam scored a hundred the next day you’ll see comparisons with Virat Kohli. Virat k jute k barabar bhi nahi hai. USA Bowlers had him stuck, he was unable to play the bowlers. As soon as he reached 40-odd runs he got out. He should have stayed and won the game. Pakistan should have won the game one-sided,” said Kaneria as quoted by News18.
“India will beat them badly. They are not capable of beating India. Whenever Pakistan come to the World Cup they keep praising their bowling and say that their bowling will win them the game but that was the reason they lost the first game,” he added.
Pakistan are in dire need of a victory against mighty Indians
Speaking of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign, the Men in Green are in dire need of a victory as they take on arch-rivals India on June 9. Their defeat against the USA is being termed as the biggest upsets of T20 World Cup history and the team’s morale has hit rock bottom before the crucial game. A further loss would see the former champions potentially bow out of the tournament after having reached the finals in the previous edition.