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Former Sri Lankan captain and legendary batter Mahela Jayawardene reckons that current Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has the pedigree to displace England's run-machine Joe Root from the top of the ICC Test rankings. The former English captain has been in tremendous form with the bat in Test cricket since 2021 and deservedly sits atop the Test rankings.
No other batter has scored more runs and centuries than Root in red-ball cricket during the aforementioned timeframe. In 24 matches since 2021, the elegant right-handed batter has accumulated 2,635 runs with the help of 11 hundreds and five half-centuries at a stunning average of 61.27.
While Babar Azam hasn't scored the same volume of runs as Root, the Pakistan skipper has enjoyed a meteoric rise in Test cricket over the last couple of years.
When quizzed about who can displace Root from the top spot of ICC Test rankings in the latest episode of The ICC Review, Jayawardene said, "Tough one!"
"I would say Babar Azam has an opportunity. He's been consistent in all three formats and it shows in his rankings. He's a naturally gifted player, plays in all conditions, he's got the game to adapt as well.
"It depends on the amount of cricket, who's playing when and how much but Babar might be the guy," the former Sri Lankan captain continued.
It's important to note that Azam is the only batter in the top 10 rankings in all three formats of the sport. The 27-year-old occupies the number one spot in ODI and T20I rankings while he is third in ICC Test rankings.
Since 2021, Azam has aggregated 1,077 in 13 Tests at an impressive average of 51.28. This year, the Pakistan captain has displayed imperious form, playing a couple of match-winning innings for his country.
In five Test matches in 2022 so far, Azam has scored 661 runs at a terrific average of 73.44 along with two centuries and four fifties.
"(I) think it is just the technique, the time that he has and the composure that he has out there in the middle," Jayawardene said when asked about what makes Azam a special player.
"He's not rattled at any time, whether he plays T20Is, ODIs or Tests, he adjusts quite brilliantly.
"Joe (Root) in Test cricket is the same. He knows what he needs to do, he can (change) the tempo when he wants to, and bats to what the conditions offer. Babar has that same quality, so that's why he's been so consistent in all three formats," the Mumbai Indians' head coach concluded.
The two modern-day greats are scheduled to cross swords against each other later in the year when the Three Lions travel to Pakistan for a three-match Test series in December.
