KARACHI: Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes that the national team captain drives the best cover in the world.
Pakistan’s great batsman Babar Azam is known for his impressive wrist and has received huge praise and appreciation at home and abroad.
Afridi, who is an outspoken critic, chose the star cricketer over India’s Virat Kohli and Australia’s Steve Smith, who play cover drives with perfection.
The former cricketer was asked to rank Babar’s cover drives compared to Kohli and Smith.
“Babar Azam, Virat [Kohli] and then [Steve] Smith,” Afridi replied while answering a question on a local news channel.
“Babar played a beautiful cover drive,” he praised the 28-year-old batsman.
Apart from Afridi, Babar’s style of playing cover drives has been highly praised by English cricket legend Nasser Hussain and former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene.
“I have also talked about Kohli’s game but Babar’s cover drive is absolutely exceptional,” Hussain said when asked about the world’s best cover drive.
Meanwhile, Jayawardene had no second thoughts before choosing Babar while answering the same question separately.
Babar Azam follows Mickey Arthur’s advice
Earlier, Afridi had claimed that Azam was following the advice given by Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur.
Pakistan recently won the five-match ODI series against New Zealand at home by 4-1.
“We always talk about giving players a chance, and they have been given a chance. I think Mickey and his management team are in control at the moment,” Afridi said.
“Babar is also following what the management is saying at the moment because World Cup Coming up, and we have to do some experiments. Therefore, according to me, all management, coaches and captains are on the same page,” he added.
Arthur is part of the coaching staff for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the tour of Australia and the home series against the West Indies. He will also be present with the team for Pakistan’s match against India in the ACC Asia Cup.
