Legendary cricketers 'doubtful' of calling Babar Azam a Pakistan legend: 'Great players don't let go of opportunities'

Prior to the commencement of the World Cup in Ahmedabad, Gautam Gambhir was quizzed about the potential standout player for the 2023 edition. Without hesitation, the ex-India opener endorsed Babar Azam, given his top ODI ranking since 2021. However, following Pakistan's fourth consecutive World Cup defeat, Gambhir expressed scepticism about his previous statement, wondering how Babar achieved the world's top ODI ranking.

Despite his initial World Cup struggles, Babar managed to score against India, marking his first ODI half-century against them. He also scored 74 against Afghanistan and another fifty against South Africa. Yet, none contributed to a Pakistani victory. Post Pakistan's narrow defeat to South Africa, Gambhir, speaking to Star Sports, questioned Babar's high ICC ranking and his 19 ODI centuries. He emphasised that a top player should be able to decisively influence and win matches for their team.

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"He has scored a lot of runs but is yet to play an impactful knock where he has single-handedly won the game for the team. He scored three fifties in this World Cup but Pakistan went past 300 only once, against Australia, which they eventually lost," Gambhir commented.

Echoing Gambhir's sentiments, cricket icon Virender Sehwag, during a Cricbuzz discussion, highlighted the importance of converting starts into significant scores. He insinuated that Babar seems content with just securing his spot in the team with consistent fifties.

"Great players don't let go of such opportunities. Babar Azam is using his form to the extent that he only keeps his place in the side," Sehwag remarked.

Expanding on the 'great players' theme, ex-Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez debated Babar's inclusion in this elite category. He opined that those who label Babar as a "great" might not have witnessed true cricket legends.

“When he’s called a great Pakistan player, then I have doubts over it. Those who say that probably haven’t seen greats of the game – from Pakistan and around the world. Yes, he is a very, very good player. He is not great yet," Hafeez stated.

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