T20 World Cup: Sehwag, Vaughan back Babar to become top-scorer

KARACHI: Former India batter Virender Sehwag and ex-England captain Michael Vaughan have predicted that Pakistan skipper Babar Azam will be the top-scorer of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022.

The former cricketers pitched in their thoughts ahead of the high-octane clash between Pakistan and India on Sunday, October 23. 

"Babar Azam from Pakistan," Sehwag told Cricbuzz. "He has been extraordinary. Great fun to watch. There is a sense of calmness whenever Virat Kohli bats and you get something similar when watching Babar."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan agreed with Sehwag and heaped massive praise on the 28-year-old batter.

"This year's T20 World Cup, I am going with Babar Azam. Brilliant player, Pakistan's opening batter. A great combination with Rizwan at the top of the order. So consistent, Babar Azam will score the most runs," Vaughan said.

Earlier, renowned Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle had also lauded Azam. In a video posted on his official Twitter account, Bhogle recalled a shot played by Azam during the recently-concluded triangular series in New Zealand.

"Now I am in my hotel room in Melbourne and have nothing to do, so I am watching New Zealand versus Pakistan. He [Babar Azam] didn't score much, it was 15 of 14, but there was one shot he played off Tim Southee. Just stand up on the back foot and hit it straight past the bowler. And I said, wow, I want to see a lot more of that,” said Bhogle.

"At the moment, he was one of the most exciting players in the world. And if you're doing nothing, just watch Babar Azam, and you won't get bored," he added.

The prolific right-hander, Azam, is considered one of the best players in the world at the moment. He is top of the chart in ODI batters’ rankings and sits on third place in both T20I and Test batters’ list.

Azam is currently leading the Pakistan team at the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, where his side are placed in group two of the Super 12 stage.

The Lahore-born has featured in 92 T20Is over the course of his career, since making his debut in 2016. He has scored 3231 runs at an impressive average of 43.66. His strike-rate in the shortest format of the game stands at 129.65.