Pakistan's best batter Babar Azam recently shared insights into his cricketing journey, particularly focusing on how he perfected his favorite shot, the cover drive. Currently playing for Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Babar spoke about how the cover drive not only helped him ease his nerves but also became a significant aspect of his confidence-building strategy on the field.
"As a batter, whenever you are playing a shot, your nervousness decreases. Whenever you play a shot or score a boundary, you tend to get normal, and my cover drive is my strength and my confidence gets a boost after hitting that shot. From the early days I worked hard on my cover drive and now I feel that I have mastered it (cover drive) to some extent,' Babar told Cricbuzz.
Babar's expertise in executing the cover drive has often led to comparisons with Indian cricket star Virat Kohli. Fans and cricket pundits frequently debate who among the two modern-day greats excels at this elegant stroke. Babar's rendition of the cover drive is known for its impeccable timing and grace, while Kohli's proficiency is evident in his control and coordination during the shot. Both players have gained admiration for their skillful execution of this particular stroke.
Despite his status as a leading batter, Babar has navigated through various ups and downs in his career. He stepped down as Pakistan's captain following the team's failure to reach the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2023. During this tournament, Babar's performance with the bat fell short of expectations, as he managed to score only 320 runs across nine matches. This was a departure from his usual high standards.
Babar's struggles extended into the Test series against Australia, where his form with the bat dipped significantly, ending the year 2023 without a single fifty in Test cricket. However, a turnaround was seen in the T20I series against New Zealand, where Babar made a strong comeback, scoring three consecutive fifties. This resurgence highlighted his ability to overcome challenging phases and adapt his game accordingly.
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