England’s star batter Joe Root on Wednesday (November 30) heaped praise on Babar Azam, terming the Pakistan skipper as one of the best players in the world “without a doubt”.

Root’s comment came ahead of the three-match Test series between England and Pakistan, starting December 1 in Rawalpindi.

“He's done it across formats for a number of years now. His record across the world in Test cricket has been pretty consistent. He's one of those players whom you sit and watch as he bats. He's going to go from strength to strength," Root said in an exclusive chat with Geo News.

"So we're going to have to play really well to keep him quiet," he added.

It is a historic series as England are playing Test cricket in Pakistan for the first time since 2005. Calling it a huge moment for Test cricket, Root said the visitors have been looked after well.

“I feel very fortunate. We've been looked after extremely well since we come in, and we're very excited to get into it, it should be a fantastic contest. We know how good Pakistan are, they have some wonderful players across the board in all departments. So, we know how to play some great cricket but I think that makes for a very entertaining and exciting test series,” the 31-year-old said.

“I think there's a number of very talented seamers within the group, there's some class in batting. It's a very well-rounded team throughout and we're just going to have to play in the same manner as we have done over the last year, and the exciting style that we've been playing with, which has been great. It is an opportunity to do that away from home now as well,” he stated.

Ever since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes assumed the roles of the head coach and captain, respectively, England have performed exceptionally well in the longest format while playing an attacking brand of cricket.

Commenting on England’s style of Test cricket, Root said: “We know that obviously results are important and I think if we play in this manner and we play how we have done, then the results will look after themselves. But ultimately, we're here to entertain and that's exactly what we plan on doing over the next three games.”

“I think everyone will have their own views on that. I've never had more fun playing Test cricket than in the last six months. So, I think it's fantastic for the game. I think it's really exciting to play. It looks very exciting to watch as well. And, surely that's what cricket is all about, making it entertaining for the people either sitting at home watching on television or in those in the stadium. So, if we can try and make that even better spectacle then we'll definitely try our best to do so,” he further remarked.