Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers believes that if India wants to win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 match on September 2 at the Pallekele International Stadium, they need to get Babar Azam out early.
Introduction:
In the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan, AB de Villiers, a former South African cricketer, has some advice for India. He thinks that if India wants to do well, they must not let Babar Azam, a key player for Pakistan, get comfortable. The match is set to take place on September 2 at the Pallekele International Stadium.
Babar Azam’s Strong Start:
In Pakistan’s first match of the tournament, Babar Azam played exceptionally well. He scored 151 runs against Nepal at the Multan Cricket Stadium. What’s more, he even broke the record for the highest individual score by a captain in One Day Internationals (ODIs), a record previously held by Virat Kohli. Babar Azam was also named the Player of the Match as Pakistan won by a whopping 238 runs.
De Villiers on Babar Azam:
AB de Villiers had high praise for Babar Azam, describing him as one of the best players in the game. He emphasized that India should aim to dismiss Babar early in the match because he plays a crucial role in holding Pakistan’s batting lineup together. Babar Azam acts like glue in the middle order for Pakistan.
Babar Azam’s Importance:
De Villiers also shared that he first met Babar Azam when he was a young cricketer. He quickly recognized Babar’s talent and predicted a bright future for him. According to De Villiers, Babar Azam’s form is vital for Pakistan’s success not only in the Asia Cup but also in the upcoming World Cup, which is scheduled to be played later in the year.
A Word on Shaheen Shah Afridi:
Finally, it’s worth noting that Shaheen Shah Afridi had an unpleasant memory of his only One Day International (ODI) against India, which happened five years ago.
In simple terms, AB de Villiers thinks that India needs to stop Babar Azam early in the Asia Cup match against Pakistan if they want to win. Babar is a crucial player for Pakistan, and he played exceptionally well in their first game. De Villiers believes that Babar’s performance is vital for Pakistan’s success in the tournament and in the upcoming World Cup.