Known for speaking his mind by making the most of the internet, the veteran Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi on Thursday organized a candid question and answer (Q&A) session with his fans on Twitter.
During the #AskLala session, Afridi was asked to name his favourite batsman by a fan and the 44-year-old named the four batsmen who are among the most dominant in contemporary world cricket.
What's your favorite Batsman in Current players ?? #AskLala @SAfridiOfficial
— S A L A R (@__jabra_afridi) September 19, 2019
Afridi was quick to name Indian skipper Kohli first in his list of top four batsmen. Along with Kohli, the legendary all-rounder mentioned Pakistan’s swashbuckling batsman Babar Azam, England skipper Joe Root, and former Australia captain Steve Smith.
Virat Kohli, Babar, Root, Smith
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 19, 2019
Afridi’s top four selection was questioned by the fans as many debated the snubbing of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who they believe should’ve been on the list.
Kohli is in good nick now
Virat Kohli though lost his number one spot to Steve Smith in Tests but his form is as consistent. After a World Cup without centuries, he hit two back-to-back hundreds ODI against the West Indies recently and has scored three fifties in his last five international innings (two in Tests and one in T20I).
Root came under criticism for his captaincy in the recently-concluded Ashes, although with the bat he didn’t do too badly. In five Tests, Root hit four half-centuries. Overall in 86 Tests, the English Test skipper averages almost 48 which rightly makes him one of the best batsmen in world cricket now.
Azam is by far Pakistan’s best batsman now although he is yet to fulfill the potential according to many. With 11 international hundreds under his belt, Azam is the 16th best batsman in Tests now but third in the ODIs and first in T20Is.
