"The ICC wants that Babar doesn't perform" - Basit Ali's sarcastic response to Babar Azam retaining No. 1 spot in ICC rankings for ODI batters
Former cricketer Basit Ali has questioned the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam's ranking in ODI cricket. The Men in Green's white-ball skipper is currently placed at the top spot in the ICC rankings for ODI batters.
Basit cheekily remarked that Babar would be pleased after being crowned the best ODI batter as per the ICC rankings and won't have the drive to come up with improved performances. Speaking in his latest YouTube video, the cricketer-turned-expert said (from 4:59):
"When I saw the ICC ranking (ODI batters), Babar Azam was at the top, number two was Rohit Sharma, number three was Shubman Gill, and then there was Virat Kohli at number four. I did not find it necessary to read the remaining names because I couldn't see Travis Head and Rachin Ravindra. I think the ICC wants that Babar doesn't perform. He would be happy with being the number one-ranked batter in ODIs. Who gives these rankings? On what basis are Babar Azam and Shubman Gill there?"
Basit pointed out that Babar is the No. 1-ranked ODI batter, even though his most recent appearance in the format came during last year's ODI World Cup. He highlighted how the 29-year-old failed to notch up even one century at the showpiece event, whereas the likes of Virat Kohli and Travis Head finished with multiple centuries, adding (from 5:57):
"Babar's last ODI was at the last year's World Cup. We saw the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Quinton de Kock, Travis Head and Virat Kohli at the World Cup. They scored three-four hundreds in the tournament. For Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman scored a century each. Babar Azam did not score a single hundred. His last hundred came against Nepal in the Asia Cup. What kind of ranking do they give?"
Babar had a decent campaign as a batter at the 2023 ODI World Cup. The right-handed batter amassed 320 runs, including four fifties, from nine outings at an average of 40.
"Even he wouldn't say that he is the number one" - Basit Ali on Babar Azam's ranking
In the video, Basit Ali further stated that Babar Azam himself wouldn't admit that he is currently the best batter in ODI cricket. He suggested that Babar would name Virat Kohli and Travis Head as the deserving candidates for the No. 1 spot in the rankings.
He remarked (from 6:52):
"The people at ICC are Babar Azam's enemies. If you asked Babar who is the current number one, he would also pick Travis Head or Virat Kohli. Even he wouldn't say that he is the number one."
It is worth mentioning that while Kohli is placed fourth in the ICC ODI rankings for batters, Travis Head doesn't feature in the top 10. The southpaw occupies the 19th spot.
Babar will next be seen in action during Pakistan's upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh. The first Test will be played in Rawalpindi from August 21.