New Delhi: Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes that Babar Azam plays the best cover drive in the world. Afridi chose to captain Pakistan over India’s Virat Kohli and Australia’s Steve Smith. Afridi believes that he plays the cover drive with perfection. The former cricketer was asked to rank Babar’s cover drive in comparison to Kohli and Smith.
Babar Azam, Virat Kohli and then Steve Smith
Afridi while answering the question on a local news channel said – Babar Azam, Virat Kohli and then Steve Smith. He said- Babar plays beautiful cover drives. Apart from Afridi, Babar’s way of playing cover drives has been praised by English cricket legend Nasser Hussain and former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene. When asked about the best cover drive in the world, Hussain said, “I have talked about Kohli as well, but Babar’s cover drive is absolutely extraordinary.”
Babar Azam followed Mickey Arthur’s advice
Earlier, Afridi had claimed that Azam was following the advice of Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur. Pakistan recently won the five-match ODI series 4-1 against New Zealand on home soil. Afridi said- We always talk about giving chance to the players and they have been given a chance. I think at the moment Mickey and his management team are controlling all these things. Babar is also going by what the management says at the moment because the World Cup is coming up. So in my opinion all the management, coach and captain are on the same page.
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 matches against India in the ACC Asia Cup.
