"After many years, I felt Babar Azam did top-class batting" - Basit Ali after 1st AUS vs PAK 2024 ODI
Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali seemed impressed with Babar Azam's batting exploits in the Men in Green's ODI series opener against Australia in Melbourne on Monday, November 4. Babar scored 37 runs off 44 deliveries in the encounter.
Basit opined that it looked like Babar was hungry to score runs. He suggested that after a long time, it seemed like the star batter was back to his best.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-expert said (from 0:45):
"Babar Azam looked in good form today. His way of playing was top-class. Unfortunately, he played Adam Zampa off the back foot on a ball that he should have played on the front foot. His feet movement and how hungry he was for runs were good signs. It was something that he had been lacking across formats. After many years, I felt Babar Azam did top-class batting."
It is worth mentioning that Babar Azam was left out of Pakistan's squad for their second and third Tests of the recently concluded home Test series against England. Furthermore, he stepped down as the team's white-ball captain last year.
The right-handed batter looked set for a big score in the ODI series opener against Australia. However, his promising knock came to a premature end, courtesy of Adam Zampa. Babar erred while reading the length of the ball and was bowled.
After being asked to bat first, Pakistan were bowled out for just 203. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan was the top performer with the bat, scoring 44 runs. Naseem Shah (40) and Shaheen Afridi's (24) contributions towards the back end helped the visitors register a respectable total.
Mitchell Starc claimed three wickets, while Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa took two scalps apiece. Australia eked out a two-wicket win, thanks to Cummins' unbeaten 32-run knock. Josh Inglis and Steve Smith scored 49 and 44, respectively. Haris Rauf was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, claiming three crucial wickets.
"Our people won't be happy with 37 runs" - Basit Ali says Babar Azam will have to score big runs
Basit Ali emphasized that the Pakistani fans won't be satisfied with Babar Azam's 37-run knock. He mentioned that the supporters want the batter to get big scores.
He noted that Team India's Virat Kohli is another batter who has had to deal with the pressure of expectations. Basit remarked in the same video (from 1:14):
"Our people won't be happy with 37 runs, they want Babar to score 137. Similarly, the Indian fans aren't satisfied with Virat Kohli's 70-run knock, they want 170 from him. So, this is the case with a big player that there's no value if he scores a 50. However, these 37 runs will be very good for Babar ahead of the remaining matches."
The second ODI of the three-match series between Australia and Pakistan will be played in Adelaide on Friday, November 8.