Ahead of the eagerly anticipated Super Fours clash of the Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo, India's young batting sensation, Shubman Gill, expressed admiration for the phenomenal batting prowess of Pakistan's skipper, Babar Azam. Indian cricketers, Gill mentioned, keenly follow top global batters, including Babar, to decode the secrets of their success.
"Yes, we definitely follow him. When a player is doing well, everyone watches him to find out why they are doing so well, what their speciality is. The same thing goes for Babar. He is a world-class player and we all do admire him," Shubman Gill said on Saturday in Colombo.
Commencing his Asia Cup 2023 journey on a high note, Babar Azam dazzled with a magnificent 151 against Nepal during the group stages in Multan. However, he didn’t get a chance against the Men in Blue and faced an unfortunate dismissal in the Super Fours game against Bangladesh in Lahore. Despite this hiccup, Pakistan sailed to victory with a comfortable 7-wicket win.
The Asia Cup 2023 has witnessed commendable leadership from Babar, positioning the former champions, Pakistan, as one of the tournament favorites. As the countdown begins for the nail-biting encounter against arch-rivals India on September 10, all eyes will be on Babar, currently the crown jewel of ICC Men's ODI rankings. With the ODI World Cup in India on the horizon, Babar's form is touted to be pivotal.
Babar Azam's ODI achievements are nothing short of stellar. With an enviable collection of over 5300 runs, including 19 centuries in merely 106 outings, Babar boasts an average of 59. This illustrious record has earned him a spot among modern-day ODI legends.
Furthermore, the bond of mutual admiration isn't just limited to the younger generation. Iconic former Indian captain, Virat Kohli, had showered accolades on Babar during their face-offs at last year’s T20 World Cup and Asia Cup T20.
In a testament to the camaraderie transcending borders, a heartwarming video of Indian and Pakistani cricketers exchanging pleasantries ahead of their Group A fixture in Pallekele took the internet by storm. This spirit of sportsmanship showcases that while on-field battles may be fierce, off the field, it’s all about respect and camaraderie.
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