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Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar went all guns blazing against Babar Azam, who struggled to score runs against a crucial Champions Trophy game against India on Sunday (February 23) in Dubai.
Notably, Babar was criticized by the cricket fraternity and fans for his lackluster knock of 64 off 90 balls, in a chase of 320 against New Zealand. Many felt that the former Pakistan batter didn’t show any intent in pursuit of a big chase, which eventually resulted in the side losing the game by 60 runs.
Thereafter, Babar returned with a knock of 23 off 26, as Pakistan could only post a total of 241 on the board. In response, India sealed the chase under 43 overs, with Virat Kohli (100*) emerging as India’s top-scorer.
Akhtar expressed his frustration with how Pakistan fans have continued to idolize Babar Azam, who hasn’t proved his match-winning abilities yet for Pakistan.
“We always compare Babar Azam to Virat Kohli. Now tell me who is hero of Virat Kohli? Sachin Tendulkar and he has scored 100 centuries and Virat is chasing his legacy,” Shoaib Akhtar said on the show “Game On Hai.”
“Who is Babar Azam’s hero? Tuk tuk (Without naming any cricketer),” he said.
“You have picked the wrong heroes. Your thought process is wrong. You were a fraud from the beginning,” he added.
It is worth noting that Babar Azam is the current No. 2 ODI batter in the latest ICC rankings. He has garnered 6,106 runs in 128 games at an average of 55.50.
Shoaib Akhtar praises Virat Kohli’s knock against Pakistan
During the aforementioned interaction, Shoaib Akhtar lauded Virat Kohli’s match-winning century against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday. His knock helped the Indian team to qualify for the semifinals of the Champions Trophy.
Akhtar feels Kohli is deserving of all the praise showered on him by the cricket fraternity and the fans.
“We have seen this in the past. When you tell Virat Kohli that he has to play against Pakistan, he will score a century. Hats off to him, he’s like a superstar! He’s a white ball run chaser! Modern-day great! No doubt about him. I’m very happy for him. He deserves all the praise,” Akhtar said.
Virat Kohli will next be seen in action against New Zealand on Sunday, March 2.
