'World class': Cummins, Starc shower praise on Babar Azam as Perth Test looms

Cricket Australia (CA) posted a video on its social media accounts where its bowlers were seen praising former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam.

Azam, undoubtedly, is one of the greatest players to ever hold the bat and has reached unparalleled heights since making his debut in 2015.

Aussie skipper Pat Cummins said the ex-Pakistan captain doesn't have too many weaknesses which is what makes it so satisfying to get him out.

"Babar doesn't have too many weaknesses. He has pretty tight technique and can score all around the ground. He is going to be hard work. He is kind of in the upper echelon of the batters at the moment around the world, so it will be satisfying if you get him out," Cummins said.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood called Babar a "class player".

"He's a superclass player and has been for a long time. Babar burst into the arena as an ODI batter and later changed his game to be strong in Test cricket as well. If you miss, he hurts you and tries to put pressure back on bowlers," Hazlewood said.

The Aussie spin bowler Nathan Lyon said the Pakistani batter is "extremely talented".

"He's got beautiful hands when he bats. He scored some runs. I think it was Gabba's last time he was up here. You always want to compete against the best players in the world and he's definitely one of them," said Lyon, showering praises on the 29-year-old cricketer.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc thinks Babar has a "great batting temperament".

"Babar Azam has got a great batting temperament and has got all the shots. He can build an inning and can also be ultra-aggressive. Babar has the ability to take the game away from you. He's one of the best and we hope to keep Babar quiet on this tour," Starc said.

Australia tour schedule

1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium

2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

Squads

Australia: (first Test only): Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner

Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi