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Former Indian cricketer, Harbhajan Singh has recently taken a dig at Pakistan’s cricket sensation Babar Azam, claiming that he lacks the ability to take on the opposition in limited-overs cricket. Are Harbhajan’s remarks justified on Babar Azam’s batting, or is he merely underestimating Azam’s talents? The cricket world is abuzz with speculations as Azam continues to dominate the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight, representing Peshawar Zalmi with impeccable performances. So, what is the truth behind Harbhajan’s controversial statement? Let’s dive into the details and find out.
With the PSL season eight in full swing, cricket fans worldwide have been keeping a close eye on Babar Azam, Pakistan’s superstar batsman, and the captain of Peshawar Zalmi. Azam has been on a roll, smashing boundaries and leading his team with remarkable precision. Despite his impressive form, Harbhajan Singh, a retired Indian cricketer, has questioned Azam’s ability to attack the opposition in limited-overs cricket, creating a stir in the cricketing world.
Harbhajan Singh Controversial Statement On Babar Azam’s Batting
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has taken a swipe at Babar Azam’s batting in limited-overs cricket, stating that the Pakistani captain is not adept at attacking the opposition. Singh’s remarks have come at a time when Babar is leading Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight, where he has been one of the standout performers with his batting. Despite Azam’s impressive performances in the tournament, Singh seems to have questioned his credentials as a limited-overs player, suggesting that there may be better batsmen in Pakistan than Babar.
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Harbhajan Singh “Let [Mohammad] Rizwan take a single and bowl five deliveries to Babar, because he won’t inflict damage on you. Babar is a very good batter in Test cricket, but not in T20s or even for the ODIs. I feel there might be better players than him over in Pakistan”
Babar Azam’s PSL 8 Performance
Despite former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh’s comments, Babar Azam’s batting has continued to dominate the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight with his exceptional performance. Leading Peshawar Zalmi, Azam has shown that he can play with a good strike rate while overturning Singh’s claims that he cannot play attacking cricket. With 522 runs in 10 innings at an impressive strike-rate of 148.6, Azam has been the highest run-scorer in the tournament, exhibiting his prowess as a versatile and dynamic batsman. He has set new records and has been a crucial factor in the team’s success. Despite criticism from some quarters, Azam’s performance has silenced his detractors.
Babar Azam’s Records in PSL 8
Babar Azam has been smashing records left, right and centre in PSL 8. During the PSL 8 Eliminator against Islamabad United on Thursday in Lahore, he became the fastest player to score 9,000 runs in T20 cricket. Azam achieved the milestone with ease, courtesy of some splendid shots. He took only 27 innings to move from 8,000 to 9,000 runs in the shortest format of the game. Moreover, Babar has the highest runs in PSL 8 till now.
Babar Azam’s Diligent Practice Regimen
Babar Azam’s exceptional performance in the PSL 8 and achievement of becoming the cricketer of the year can be attributed to his dedication and hard work, which is evident from his rigorous training regime. The Pakistani captain is known for his daily practice sessions, which involve hours of batting drills and working on his technique. He believes that consistent practice is the key to performing well on the field and has been honing his skills relentlessly to stay at the top of his game. His work ethic and commitment to the sport have been an inspiration to many young cricketers, who look up to him as a role model.
Babar Azam: “I think when you practice hard, only then you can perform in the match. I play 500-600 balls daily during my practice. Even double balls when I am out of form. I believe practice is so important for anyone who wants to perform on the ground”.
Virat Kohli’s Statement About Babar Azam’s Batting
Seven months ago, Indian skipper Virat Kohli had heaped praise on Babar Azam’s batting. Kohli had lauded Azam’s consistency and technique and had even gone on to say that he considered him to be one of the best batsmen in the world. While there may be those who doubt Azam’s ability to play aggressively in limited-overs cricket, Kohli was effusive in his appreciation of the Pakistani captain’s skills. His comments were in stark contrast to those made recently by former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who criticized Azam’s approach to the game.
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Nick Knight’s Statement About Babar Azam’s Batting
Former England cricketer Nick Knight has also praised Babar Azam’s batting skills, stating that the Pakistani captain is one of those rare batsmen who can punish any bowler, regardless of where they bowl to him. Knight emphasized that it is not easy to bowl to a player of Babar’s calibre, and even the best bowlers in the world can find it challenging to contain him.
Unfair Criticism or Valid Concerns? Deconstructing Harbhajan Singh’s Views on Babar Azam’s Batting Prowess
Harbhajan Singh’s criticism of Babar Azam’s limited-overs cricket ability is not entirely accurate, as Babar’s performances in the ongoing PSL 8 have proven. Babar’s impressive strike rate and high scores in the tournament demonstrate his attacking capabilities, contradicting Harbhajan’s statement. Many cricket experts and fans have praised Babar’s skill and technique, including Nick Knight, who remarked that Babar is a batsman you can’t bowl to as he punishes every delivery. Therefore, Harbhajan’s criticism of Babar’s limited-overs cricket seems misplaced and contradicted by the evidence of his outstanding performances.
Despite Harbhajan Singh’s harsh criticism of Babar Azam, there is some truth to his statement that Babar has struggled to close out games in limited-overs cricket. However, Babar is quickly developing this ability, as demonstrated by his performances in the PSL 8, where he has played with a high strike rate and helped his team win crucial matches. As Babar continues to grow as a player, he is likely to become even more lethal in all formats of the game.