Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik did not mince words while assessing Pakistan batter Babar Azam after Pakistan’s heavy defeat to India in the T20 World Cup group-stage clash in Colombo. Babar’s early dismissal proved to be a turning point. Chasing a challenging target of 176, Pakistan needed Babar to anchor the innings. Instead, Babar managed only 5 runs off 7 deliveries before falling to India’s left-arm spinner, Axar Patel.
He questioned the shot selection that led to the dismissal, suggesting that it reflected a lack of situational awareness. Over the years, Babar Azam has frequently been compared to India’s batting stalwart Virat Kohli. However, Karthik dismissed the comparison in the context of this match, stressing that Kohli’s greatest strength lies in his game awareness during chases.
"For a long time now, there has been a comparison which I find a bit unfair, but let me use that now: Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. I cannot imagine Virat Kohli playing that shot that early in the innings. That is submission, not having belief in what it takes to win or how to take your team closer to victory. That absolute wild slog from Babar Azam showed he wanted to keep up with the run rate, it is a shot that is against the grain of what he does normally," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
“That absorption of pressure is what makes greatness. Every game cannot be easy, where you just come and play a few shots. When I look at Babar Azam, I feel that conviction and belief weren't there. The pressure to be the best in the world is getting to him. He's nowhere close to being the best in the world; I think Abhishek Sharma is the best in the world,” he added.
Pakistan, meanwhile have qualified for the Super 8 stage of the tournament following a big win over Namibia on Wednesday. They will face New Zealand on Saturday in their Super 8 match.