Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam, has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of One Day International (ODI) cricket. His remarkable performances have rightfully earned him the title of the world’s top-ranked batter in this format, and he has played a pivotal role in elevating Pakistan to the pinnacle of ODI rankings.
However, despite arriving at the Asia Cup with a trail of impressive form behind him, Babar Azam faced a series of disappointments in crucial back-to-back matches against India and Sri Lanka. His scores of 10 and 29, respectively, left fans disheartened and raised questions about his ability to deliver when it matters most against top-tier teams.
A prevailing notion among cricket enthusiasts is that Babar Azam tends to inflate his statistics when facing lower-ranked teams. To assess the validity of this claim, it’s essential to scrutinize his ODI numbers against the top six teams in the world.
Let’s have a look at the stats of Babar Azam:
To begin with, Babar’s statistics reveal a stark contrast when facing Australia and India, two of his closest competitors on the rankings.
Australia
Against Australia, the 28-year-old has amassed a staggering 588 runs at an exceptional average of 73.50, boasting a strike rate of 91.73, and has secured three centuries in just nine matches.
However, his performance against arch-rivals India tells a different story, with a mere 168 runs in seven matches, an average of 28, and an equally disappointing strike rate of 72.41, without a single three-figure score.
England
Against England and New Zealand, the fourth and fifth-ranked ODI teams, respectively, Babar has maintained remarkably similar figures. Facing England, he has tallied 816 runs at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 97.37.
New Zealand
On the other hand, against the formidable Black Caps, he has accumulated 840 runs, holding a 46.55 average and an 83 strike rate.
India
In summary, Babar Azam’s ODI career has been marked by outstanding performances against certain top-ranked teams, particularly Australia, but has witnessed struggles against others, such as India. While a few low scores in high-stakes matches have prompted questions about his ability to perform consistently under pressure, his overall record against top-tier teams remains solid.
It is a reminder that cricket, like any sport, is subject to fluctuations in form and fortune, and even the best players face challenges on their journey to greatness. As Babar Azam continues his cricketing journey, he faces the dual challenge of maintaining his status as the world’s best ODI batter while also proving his mettle in crucial encounters against top-tier teams.
His fans remain hopeful that he will overcome these obstacles, and his undeniable talent suggests that he has the capacity to do so. Cricket is a sport where consistency is elusive, and even the best players have their ups and downs.
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