Babar Azam has still got a little bit of improvement to come: Ricky Ponting

Babar Azam would surely be elated as of this moment, having won the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year award as well as the Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year award, but the Australian legend Ricky Ponting feels he has areas to improve upon. 

Babar Azam has emerged as one of the finest players to have represented Pakistan, and it is truly a delight to watch him bat. He has been the leader of the pack across all formats, and has put up consistent performances. Additionally, he has also been on top of the batting charts for a couple of years now and has won his team matches on numerous occasions.

I love watching Babar play: Ponting

Ricky Ponting, former Australian captain and a legend of the game, feels that even though Babar Azam has won the accolades while also being a deserving candidate of the same, he still has areas that he can work upon and can improve as well.

“He’s probably not (at his peak). Most batters come into their prime in the start of their early thirties. You’re sort of working on your game and improving your game right through to a certain point. And that for most guys is it. You look at where Steve Smith and (David) Warner and those guys have been. Steve Smith is probably playing as well as he’s ever played now, along with guys like Kane Williamson as well in their early thirties," said Ponting while speaking on The ICC Review.

“I think Babar’s still got a little bit of improvement to come, which is a pretty scary thought with what he’s been able to do, pretty much across all three formats over the last three, four years. I love watching him play. I think there’s some room for improvement, let’s hope we see it," Ponting added.

Babar Azam became only the second player in history to win consecutive ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award, after Virat Kohli. Apart from winning the two ICC awards this year, he also made it to ICC's ODI and Test team of the year while being named the captain of the 50-over side.

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