Babar Azam is all set to lead Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 after guiding the team to a convincing series victory over the Netherlands.
Babar, who is in the form of his life, will walk into the tournament as the world’s number one ranked batter in the shortest format.
Given Babar’s sublime form, former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris stated on Tuesday (August 23) that it will take a special delivery to dismiss the 27-year-old in the upcoming Asia Cup.
Styris pointed out while speaking on Sports18 show 'Sports Over The Top' that getting Babar off strike may not work because the batter is aware of the tactic. He then praised the Pakistan skipper, calling him the “number one man” going around.
"I think what you would say is if India could win, any team could say I'll give you 16 Babar Azams, and then you're out. They would take it every day of the week. He is that good. He is the number one man going around," he was quoted as saying.
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He suggested the bowlers to take more risks and try something out of the box to dismiss the star batter.
"I think you've almost got to be brave. Be a little bit risky and try that magic delivery that you might be a little afraid to bowl because if you get it wrong, it can go out of the park because it's going to take a special delivery to get somebody like him out in the form that he's in," he added.
Pakistan star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of the tournament owing to a knee injury. According to the former cricketer, opposition batters will heave a sigh of relief in Shaheen's absence.
"Every top order should be high-fiving themselves because he has every possible attribute that you could want in a fast bowler. He has height, he has the pace, he gets bounce, he has that ability to swing the ball, and he has the variation of being a left armer as well.
"So, I'm with you. I think that every top order in this competition, not just the Indian top order who are susceptible to the ball coming back, I think that they will be delighted that he isn't there and it gives them a greater chance of winning the tournament," he remarked.
Asia Cup 2022 will begin on Saturday (August 27) in the UAE. The much-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan will take place on August 28 at the Dubai International Stadium.
(NEWS18 INPUTS)
