Kamran Akmal, the former Pakistan player, envisions Babar Azam and Shubman Gill surpassing Virat Kohli’s records. The 35-year-old, who recently notched his 50th ODI hundred, one more than Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record, achieved this milestone in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final against New Zealand.
With his remarkable feat, the Men in Blue emerged victorious by 70 runs, setting up a final clash against Australia cricket team on November 19 in Ahmedabad.
Akmal believes that only a top-order batsman can challenge Kohli’s numbers, identifying Babar Azam and India’s Shubman Gill as potential contenders. With three centuries and over 700 runs in the ongoing tournament, the right-handed batter has been in outstanding form.
“Only a top-order can touch Kohli’s numbers. We have Babar Azam, who can go ahead of Virat. India have Shubman Gill. A middle-order has no chance,” Akmal said during a live TV show.
Babar Azam recently stepped down from captaincy following Pakistan’s disappointing World Cup campaign, with Shan Masood set to lead the Test team in the upcoming series against Australia. Shaheen Afridi takes over as the new skipper in T20Is.
