As the T20 World Cup 2024 looms ever closer, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the clash of titans on the international stage. Amidst the frenzy of anticipation, team preparations are underway, and every decision made by the respective cricket boards is under intense scrutiny. Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a significant announcement by reinstating Babar Azam as the skipper for both ODIs and T20Is, a move that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world and left Shaheen Afridi sidelined from the leadership role.
Pakistan’s prospects in T20 World Cup and clash against India
With Babar at the helm, Pakistani cricket fans are hopeful for a successful campaign in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The anticipation has reached a fever pitch, particularly for the India vs Pakistan encounter slated for 9th June in New York.
In a recent podcast interview, Babar added a fresh twist to the historic rivalry between the two cricketing nations by weighing in on a crucial aspect of the game and choosing the better death bowler between Pakistan’s rising star Naseem Shah and India’s pace ace Jasprit Bumrah.
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Babar Azam picks the better death bowler between Naseem Shah and Jasprit Bumrah
When posed with the hypothetical scenario of needing to defend ten runs off the final over of a T20 match, Babar wasted no time in making his pick, unequivocally siding with his compatriot Naseem. He didn’t shy away from explaining his choice, highlighting Naseem’s remarkable return to form after injury and praising his exceptional skills as a rare talent in Pakistani cricket.
“The way he came back after injury… his skills are exceptional. We don’t often see talent like this in Pakistan,” Babar Azam remarked, shedding light on Naseem Shah’s remarkable journey and the promise he holds for the future of Pakistani cricket.
Babar Azam picked Naseem over Bumrah for the last over. 😭🐐 #BabarAzamPodcast pic.twitter.com/HcXHmh67yJ
— Babarfied (@THORthayaar) April 7, 2024
It’s important to note that while Babar endorsed Naseem’s prowess, Bumrah is considered one of the best all-format bowlers in the world. The Indian speedster is currently busy with his commitments to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, representing the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise in the tournament. Meanwhile, Naseem Shah is immersed in rigorous training sessions as part of Pakistan’s preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024.
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