Jayawardena Backs Babar Azam To Become The Number Test Batter

Former Sri Lankan captain, Mahela Jayawardena in a recent episode of The ICC Review has backed Babar Azam to take over the number one Test batter position from Joe Root. It is worth mentioning here that Babar Azam is already the number one batter in the ICC’s ODI and T20 rankings. 

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Jayawardena Praises Babar Azam

While praising the Pakistani skipper Jayawardena said, “I would say Babar Azam has an opportunity. He’s been consistent in all three formats and it shows in his rankings. He’s a naturally gifted player, plays in all conditions, he’s got the game to adapt as well. It depends on the amount of cricket, who’s playing when and how much but the Babar might be the guy (to dethrone Joe Root).

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“He batted really well in Sri Lanka. I think Prabath (Jayasuriya) was his nemesis – he got him three times out of the four innings. That was a very good battle to watch. Babar got a really good hundred in the first Test match. He’s always going to push himself to get better. Seen in a couple of his interviews recently that it is his goal as well to be No.1 across the table. There’s no harm in challenging yourself to get there.

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“Being the captain as well, he has taken responsibility and performed, which is great to see. (It’s) Not an easy thing to do. I would put my money on him at least for a little while to hold to all three but there are some good quality players around who will keep pushing him.”