Babar Azam can dethrone Joe Root as top Test batter: Mahela Jayawardene

11.08.2022 - 11:51 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Mahela Jayawardene has picked Pakistan captain Babar Azam as the cricketer who, he believes, can dethrone England's Joe Root as top Test batter.

Root has been ruling the roost at the top of the Test rankings since June, with the Englishman enjoying a fine World Test Championship, and in a rich vein of form under new coach Brendon McCullum.

The former England captain has scored more runs than any other player since the turn of the decade, and deservedly claimed the ICC Men's Test Player of the Year award in 2021.

Read AlsoVirat Kohli has all the tools to come out of batting slump: Mahela JayawardeneVirat Kohli is enduring his worst slump in form and has not scored a century in international cricket since November 2019.

cricket Test as Babar Azam Brendon Maccullum Pakistan

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India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a last-over thriller at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The 2022 Asia Cup match between the arch-rivals went down to the wire but all-rounder Hardik Pandya showed nerves of steel to pull off the heist for the Indian team in chase of a 148-run target. Besides the crucial knock of Pandya, it was certainly the lack of proper planning from Pakistan skipper Babar Azam in the second innings that played a big role in his side's loss to India.

Asia Cup 2022, India v Pakistan: The way he finished off game was great: Babar Azam praises Hardik Pandya

The crucial partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya helped India defeat arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. "He did very well in bowling and in batting as he finished off the game was great. According to me, he is a very good all-rounder," said Babar Azam said in a post-match press conference.

"Our Only Game Plan Was...": Babar Azam On How Pakistan Tried To Fight India

After suffering a defeat by five wickets against arch-rivals India in Asia Cup 2022, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam heaped praise on the Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who took Men in Blue to a thrilling victory. The crucial partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya helped India defeat arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling clash by five wickets in the second match of the Asia Cup 2022 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

"Did Not Think Half Of The Side Has Been Dismissed": Bhuvneshwar Kumar On Taking Babar Azam's Wicket

It was Hardik Pandya who came up with an unbeaten 33-run knock of just 17 balls to help India seal a tight contest against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday in the Group A clash of the ongoing Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium. After having bundled out Pakistan for 147, Rohit Sharma-led Team India were in a spot of bother, but Hardik along with Ravindra Jadeja (35) ensured that the team does not slip up and goes over the line. After the win, Bhuvneshwar Kumar spoke about the win and how the match could have gone either way.

"Was Actually Touched By The Way They...": Babar Azam On Team India

Ahead of the Asia Cup 2022 match against India and Pakistan, players from both camps have been exchanging pleasantries during the training session. One heartwarming incident happened on Thursday when the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal and Rishabh Pant met Shaheen Shah Afridi to check up on his injury. Shaheen has been ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. Pakistan captain Babar Azam has now said that he was touched with the way Team India came up to Shaheen to check up on his injury.

Watch: "Remember Last Year's Game," - Babar Azam's Speech Ahead Of Game vs India

The world is waiting for the contest between India and Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup. Pakistan had defeated India in the T20 World Cup last year, so the side will definitely have a spring in their stride as they walk out to the field. With India eyeing a revenge of their 2021 T20 World Cup loss, Pakistan will look to continue their blistering form. Ahead of the much-awaited clash, Pakistan captain Babar Azam encouraged his team by reminding them of their 10-wicket win over India, last year. He urged them to play with the same body language in order to get the same results.