"Will take a lot of years for Babar" - Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali on comparison between Arshad Nadeem and Babar Azam
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali believes the laurels that Arshad Nadeem has brought to the country by winning the gold medal in javelin throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is greater than the collective brought by Babar Azam and the Pakistan cricket team.
Arshad Nadeem set an Olympic record when he recorded a throw of 92.97 meters and won the gold medal, with India's Neeraj Chopra in second place with an 89.45-meter throw. When asked about the comparisons between Nadeem and Babar as athletes for Pakistan, Basit Ali claimed that it would take several years for Babar to achieve what Nadeem has.
Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Basit Ali explained how cricket is a collective game and a lot is dependent on teamwork, unlike javelin throw, which is more of an individual event. He said:
"Cricket is a different game. But the work that Arshad Nadeem has done for this country will take a lot of years for Babar Azam. Because Babar plays a team game. He does not play an individual game. Arshad plays individually. He got a gold medal alone."
Several former cricketers from Pakistan as well as from India congratulated Arshad Nadeem for his incredible achievement. This was Pakistan's first gold medal in athletics and the first medal since the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Basit Ali explains when Pakistan cricket's achievement could be compared to Arshad Nadeem's
The 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will have Cricket as one of the sports. Basit Ali reckons that if the Pakistan cricket team under Babar Azam win a gold medal then, they could be compared to what Arshad Nadeem had achieved.
On this, he stated:
"If the Pakistan cricket team goes to the Olympics in 2028 and wins a gold medal there, then we can draw comparisons. But at this time, there is no comparison of Babar to Arshad Nadeem. Arshad is a hero at this time."
Babar Azam also congratulated Arshad Nadeem for his Gold medal through a post on X (formerly Twitter).