In the Asia Cup final on Sunday, Mohammad Rizwan led Pakistan with 55 off 49 balls, but Sri Lanka cruised to a 23-run victory to capture their sixth championship as Pakistan’s typical style didn’t appear appropriate for the chase. Despite finishing the competition with 281 runs from six games, the opener Rizwan’s lethargic knock garnered criticism from analysts and fans.
However, Babar Azam only scored 68 runs during the game, and his dismal performance may raise questions before the World T20 in Australia next month.
Despite now holding the top two spots in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings, Salman Butt, the team’s former captain, refused to compare Rizwan and Babar to India’s Rohit Sharma. A free-flowing Rohit in his element is one of the best sights in the game. Watching him bat in any format is enjoyable, whether it’s for his effortless sixes or his exquisite timing.
Salman Butt, former Pakistani batter, gave Rohit high praise and claimed that if he had fitness levels half as good as those of Virat Kohli, arguably one of the fittest players in cricket, he would be on par with South African legend AB de Villiers.
Salman Butt said on his YouTube channel, “Unka (Rohit) comparison nahi banta (with Babar and Rizwan). With his set of skills, Rohit ki fitness Kohli se aadhi bhi ho, toh usse zyada destructive player nahi hai. Fir uska aur sirf AB de Villiers ka match reh jaata hai, beechme koi player nahi aata. Agar woh (Rohit) bohot fit hotey Kohli ki tarah toh pata nahi woh kya kartey. (Rohit can’t be compared with Babar and Rizwan. With his set of skills, Rohit would be the most destructive player if his fitness levels were half as good as Kohli’s. Only AB de Villiers comes close to him)”
Despite India’s early exit from the Asia Cup, Rohit argued that the team and its present style of play are both OK.
In the upcoming World T20, Rohit will serve as the team captain. India’s World T20 campaign will get underway against Pakistan on October 23 in Melbourne. As part of the introduction of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel to the T20 setup, the BCCI appointed a 15-member roster on Monday. Due to injuries, the fast bowling pair was unable to compete at the Asia Cup.
The Rohit-led team competes in limited-overs international matches against Australia and South Africa prior to the world cup.
