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

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.

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"Tough one!" Jayawardene said on the latest episode of The ICC Review, when asked who can dethrone Root from the top spot. "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 the Babar might be the guy." Babar is the only player in the top three in the batters' rankings in all three formats, occupying the top spot in each of the white-ball formats and currently ranked No.3 in Tests. "T20Is and ODIs, it is tough one to hold on to because there are a lot of good players who have to be consistent," Jayawardene said. "I would put my money on him at least for a little while to hold to all three but there are