Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that Babar Azam is going to have a lot of difficulty facing Mohammed Shami when India and Pakistan battle it out in the Asia Cup 2023 on September 2, Saturday.
Shami has been one of India’s main pacers over the past year as he formed a formidable partnership with Mohammed Siraj during Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from international cricket. In the 12 matches he has played in all formats of the game, Shami has picked up 23 wickets from 12 matches this year.
The pacer also had a fine time in IPL 2023 as he won the Purple cap with 28 wickets to his name during the campaign. Babar made a dazzling start to his Asia Cup 2023 campaign as he scored an impressive 151 runs off just 131 deliveries. This knock is considered one of the most memorable in the history of the Asia Cup.
Azam’s performance was not only significant for its sheer magnitude but also for the records it broke and set. His score of 151 is the second-highest individual score in the history of the Asia Cup, surpassed only by Virat Kohli’s 183 against Pakistan in 2012.
The battle between Shami and Babar could be key in deciding the outcome of the match and Kaif has made a big claim ahead of the clash. Speaking to Star Sports, Kaif hailed Shami as a fantastic bowler and said that the pacer managed the bowling well in Bumrah’s absence.
Kaif said that Babar is going to have a lot of difficulty when he goes up against Shami during the match.
“Mohammed Shami is a fantastic bowler, his form is also very good. And even in Bumrah’s absence, he managed the bowling very well. Even his form in the IPL was great. So he has a lot of talent. In my opinion, Babar Azam is going to have a lot of difficulty facing Mohammed Shami,” said Kaif.