'He will go massively up the Test rankings' - Skipper Azhar Ali heaps praise on Babar Azam

Pakistan batsman Babar Azam is hailed as the “next big thing” in international cricket. It is often said that Babar is all set to be in the same league as Indian captain Virat Kohli or Australia’s batsman Steve Smith.

Since his debut in 2015, Babar has been impressing everyone with his development and consistency. The batsman has proved to be a match-winner for his team as he has single-handedly won Pakistan many matches. He has been performing wonderfully in all the three formats of the game.

Pakistan cricket team will be facing England for a three-match Test series starting from today at Old Trafford, Manchester. Pakistan’s Test captain Azhar Ali believes that Babar will rocket up his Test ranking in the ICC’s Test batsman list. Babar is sixth in the Test batting rankings, but Azhar believes that is not a true reflection of his quality.

When asked if the 25-year-old can elevate himself to be put in the same bracket as Australia batsman Smith and India skipper Kohli in the next few weeks, Azhar said as quoted by Outlook India, “I think he is right up there already. People are thinking and talking about it. He is just hungry for runs and I think if he keeps doing that he will be up there for quite a long time”

“His performances have improved massively in Test matches over the last year or so. Firstly he was performing really well in white-ball cricket and people thought he was only a white-ball player but he took on that challenge and played with a lot of freedom and flair,” he added

Praising Babar further, Ali said that he is a very important player for the team and they just want him to play his natural game without getting succumbed to any kind of pressure.

“As a captain I want him to play the way he wants to. Just to relax and play his game and I’m sure if he does that he will go massively up the rankings in Test matches as well. He is a very important player for us but I would like him to be free from any pressure and just enjoy his game.” said the Pakistan’s Test captain.

Naseem is a young talent: Azhar Ali

Further in the conversation, Azhar backed his two players Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi. He feels that these two will create a big impact in the upcoming Test series against England and will prove their mettle as potential bowlers. Showering praises on 17-year-old Naseem, Ali said that in terms of potential he is very threatening and can do wonders for the team in the bowling department.

“They are very talented, obviously not as experienced as some of the bowling attacks that have come to England in the past, but potentially they are right up there. Naseem is a young talent who came up and played Test cricket from nowhere. He’s impressed all of us and is in our number one bowling attack. Over time he will get the experience he needs.” the 35-year-old added.