Leading Edge Episode#7 : Babar Sher Roaring
Pakistan's Virat Kohli or Umar Akmal's cousin ?
These are two of the most common terms that we use when we try to describe Pakistan's focal point of batting right now: Babar Azam. When he starts off his innings with beautiful cover drives, we try to make him Pakistan's version of one of the best batsmen of this generation, India's Virat Kohli, while as soon as he gets out(mostly due to a bad unnecessary shot), we draw comparisons with a wasted talent(arguably) of our country and his very own cousin, Umar Akmal.
But the former comparison was used more often as Babar scored a scintillating century against New Zealand, and that too while chasing (something which Pakistanis are not known for, rather the opposite). What makes the match-winning innings even special is that it made Babar the 2nd fastest batsmen to 3000runs in ODIs and the first middle order batsman since 1987 to score a century for Pakistan in a World Cup.
This amazing knock, combined with some amazing well-executed bowling gave Pakistan a very much needed victory against New Zealand and may just be the catalyst to send them to the semi finals. Other results and Pakistan's next 2 matches will decide Pakistan's fate but it is only Pakistan's to lose from here given the opportunity they have now.
All this and more as Shanawar Burhan, and his guests, Ahmed Rizwan, Sajid Faiz Malik, Ali Shayan and Muhammad Owais talk about Pakistan's march towards the top 4.
RUNNING ORDER:
The mercurial Shaheens halting Kiwis' run [00:06]
Imad Wasim, the spinner ? [10:16]
Paksitan's 2 down ? [13:45]
The openers need to step up [21:54]
England and Pakistan's top 4 chances [29:56]
Player of the tournament so far[36:02]
RUNNING TIME: 38m38s