NEW DELHI: Who’s the higher batsman – Virat Kohli or Babar Azam? The controversy continued for a while and ultimately most pundits rated Virat larger than Babar, largely as a result of the truth that Virat simply has higher numbers and is manner forward of Babar in essentially the most centuries checklist.
The previous India captain is second solely to Sachin Tendulkar within the checklist of most worldwide centuries with 75 tons, whereas Babar has to date scored 28 worldwide centuries throughout codecs. However one should do not forget that Virat scored a world century in 2008, seven years earlier than Babar obtained his first Pakistan cap.
Former Pakistan star all-rounder Abdul Razzaq spoke TimesofIndia.com lately in an unique interview and likewise rated Virat’s health larger than Babar’s.
One in every of Pakistan’s greatest all-rounders, Razzaq performed 46 Checks, 265 ODIs and 32 T20Is for his nation between 1996 and 2013.
The dashing hard-hitting all-rounder spoke India vs Pakistan bilateral sequence, Virat vs Babar debate, Pakistan gamers in IPL, Hardik Pandya an all-rounder and extra…
You’ve got scored 1025 runs and claimed 51 wickets towards India in numerous codecs. What’s your favourite reminiscence of enjoying towards India?
I’ve two favourite reminiscences of enjoying towards India. The primary was the Mohali Check match (in 2005). We had been 6 beneath. Sport day 4 was underway. And we continued to attract the take a look at match. One other was the Hobart ODI (Carlton & United Collection in 2000) when Pakistan had been 160-something in 40 overs. I got here in and scored a fifty and helped Pakistan rating an excellent whole (262/7) after which took 5 wickets.
These two matches will all the time be near my coronary heart. At the moment in 2000, the Indian group was very sturdy. That they had all the celebs. Tendulkar, Sehwag, Ganguly, Zaheer and plenty of different large names. We play with them. After all there was strain. Every time it’s India vs Pakistan, there’s all the time strain.
Aside from India vs Pakistan strain, these gamers additionally put strain on us. These gamers created a lot strain. We plan what and learn how to bowl to Sehwag and what and learn how to bowl to Tendulkar. We labored wholeheartedly and tried to ditch these two.
You’ve got been the star of the Pakistan group. What do you consider Hardik Pandya?
My earlier assertion about Hardik Pandya was taken unsuitable. I didn’t imply it. As a cricketer, I simply mentioned that he (Pandya) has room for enchancment. I didn’t touch upon a participant who’s from India, England or Australia. I used to be simply saying issues as a cricketer. If Kapil Dev says he needs to advise Abdul Razzaq, I welcome that assertion.
The most effective factor about Hardik is that he’s very sturdy each mentally and bodily. He is effective. This drives him ahead. He hits the ball cleanly. He takes the factors in decisive conditions. Once you ship him to the bowl, he takes the factors. You ship him to bat and he scores runs for you. He’s the match winner. No person’s good.
He is aware of learn how to work on a few issues, which he says are areas for improvement – concerning footwork, bat motion and learn how to assess the supply earlier than it’s bowled. That is what I meant earlier than. It was only a assertion as a former all-rounder. Individuals took it the unsuitable manner and criticized me too.
Hardik is an entire all-rounder. However nobody is ideal. Everybody wants enchancment in sure areas. Once I was enjoying, I used to be additionally lacking sure issues. Wasim Akram was the identical, Imran Khan was the identical, Kapil Dev was the identical. However we nonetheless think about all of them recreation greats.
As somebody who has talked about Hardik up to now and seen his progress, how would you describe the rise and rise of Hardik Pandya?
He’s undoubtedly an excellent cricketer. I actually like him. He hits the ball cleanly. He’s a really clear hitter. I used to bat in the identical manner as Pandya. I additionally love his bowling. He’s an impression participant. Once you symbolize your nation, it’s a must to produce distinctive performances in order that the group begins to belief you.
You may’t actually design a robust MFP in a single day. What does it take to be a powerful all-rounder? Additionally, how a lot additional strain does the all-rounder really feel on batsmen and bowlers?
Individuals usually say that hitting is difficult. I say if batting is troublesome then bowling can be troublesome. These are completely different expertise, and each are troublesome. The batsman says issues are powerful for him. Bowler says issues are powerful for him too. Each concentrate on one factor at a time. However multifaceted has to work with each departments. He handles each batting and bowling with out grievance.
A flexible participant has to work onerous for his bodily coaching. Issues could be actually powerful for a multitasker. He has to self-discipline himself and attempt to obtain perfection in each departments. Being versatile just isn’t straightforward in any respect. This isn’t an in a single day journey. This takes numerous time.
When a batsman will get 100 or 200, he does not have sufficient vitality left. However when an all-rounder scores 100, he ought to nonetheless have the vitality left to come back again and bowl and take the factors for his group.
In India, IPL has performed an enormous function. This match produces new gamers. In Pakistan we’ve Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL). The principle goal of those leagues is to showcase new expertise, nurture them and provides them an opportunity to play for the nation relying on their efficiency.
We’ve got had star gamers like Lance Klusener, Jacques Kallis, Wasim Akram, Chris Gayle, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev. I hope we see their like quickly.
The subsequent version of IPL is now across the nook. We’ve got seen Pakistani gamers like Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Asif and plenty of extra in IPL 2008 version…
From a cricketing standpoint, if we bury the variations, every little thing must be open. We wish our gamers to play in IPL. Indian gamers ought to play in PSL. Cricket is promoted, folks get pleasure from watching Pakistani cricketers in IPL. This could occur to be able to promote the sport.
Your ideas on India vs Pakistan bilateral sequence?
If I could make an announcement about Hardik Pandya, then in fact I would really like that too (India vs Pak bilateral cricket sequence). As a sportsperson, I’ve commented on Hardik Pandya. India and Pakistan ought to play. This brings a lot pleasure. Individuals get pleasure from it. Cricket is promoted. There may be a lot strain in India vs Pakistan matches. You (cricketers) will get pleasure from it extra. The entire world is watching you. It’s also possible to develop good gamers with these matches.
Which Indian batsmen and bowlers did Pakistan design essentially the most throughout your enjoying days?
Virender Sehwag was essentially the most harmful participant. After that, Sachin Tendulkar. Pakistan deliberate towards Sehwag and Tendulkar. Our plan was earlier than – if we get these two locations – Sehwag and Tendulkar – we are going to win the match. In bowling, our batsmen deliberate towards Zaheer Khan. Irfan Pathan was additionally there for some time. Harbhajan Singh was there. These had been large names enjoying large matches and performing for his or her nation.
Within the center order, Yuvraj Singh was one. Sehwag, Tendulkar, Yuvraj had been the massive large names. After we fired them, we used to say, sure, we scored large at the moment. Towards these gamers, Pakistan deliberate severely. The plan included how and what to bowl, sure areas to bowl to them, discipline structure and making an attempt completely different bowling and deliveries towards these batsmen. Equally, our batsmen deliberate towards bowlers like Zaheer, Harbhajan and Irfan.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Debate. Your place…
Virat is a wonderful and improbable participant. The most effective half is that he brings his group alongside. His intention is all the time constructive. He makes use of his expertise very effectively. The principle factor is that his health is world class. Babar Azam’s health just isn’t like Virat Kohli’s. Babar must work extra for his health.
Babar is Pakistan’s primary. Babar is definitely the primary batsman on the planet (ODI). Be it in any format of the sport, Check, ODI or T20I, he has constantly carried out effectively. Each nation has one participant like them (Virat and Babar). We needn’t examine them. It is like asking who is best – Kapil Dev or Imran Khan? These comparisons should not good. Kohli is an effective participant for India. Equally, Babar Azam is an effective participant for Pakistan. Kohli is a world class participant, Babar too. However Kohli’s health is significantly better than Babar’s.
The previous India captain is second solely to Sachin Tendulkar within the checklist of most worldwide centuries with 75 tons, whereas Babar has to date scored 28 worldwide centuries throughout codecs. However one should do not forget that Virat scored a world century in 2008, seven years earlier than Babar obtained his first Pakistan cap.
Former Pakistan star all-rounder Abdul Razzaq spoke TimesofIndia.com lately in an unique interview and likewise rated Virat’s health larger than Babar’s.
One in every of Pakistan’s greatest all-rounders, Razzaq performed 46 Checks, 265 ODIs and 32 T20Is for his nation between 1996 and 2013.
The dashing hard-hitting all-rounder spoke India vs Pakistan bilateral sequence, Virat vs Babar debate, Pakistan gamers in IPL, Hardik Pandya an all-rounder and extra…
You’ve got scored 1025 runs and claimed 51 wickets towards India in numerous codecs. What’s your favourite reminiscence of enjoying towards India?
I’ve two favourite reminiscences of enjoying towards India. The primary was the Mohali Check match (in 2005). We had been 6 beneath. Sport day 4 was underway. And we continued to attract the take a look at match. One other was the Hobart ODI (Carlton & United Collection in 2000) when Pakistan had been 160-something in 40 overs. I got here in and scored a fifty and helped Pakistan rating an excellent whole (262/7) after which took 5 wickets.
These two matches will all the time be near my coronary heart. At the moment in 2000, the Indian group was very sturdy. That they had all the celebs. Tendulkar, Sehwag, Ganguly, Zaheer and plenty of different large names. We play with them. After all there was strain. Every time it’s India vs Pakistan, there’s all the time strain.
Aside from India vs Pakistan strain, these gamers additionally put strain on us. These gamers created a lot strain. We plan what and learn how to bowl to Sehwag and what and learn how to bowl to Tendulkar. We labored wholeheartedly and tried to ditch these two.
You’ve got been the star of the Pakistan group. What do you consider Hardik Pandya?
My earlier assertion about Hardik Pandya was taken unsuitable. I didn’t imply it. As a cricketer, I simply mentioned that he (Pandya) has room for enchancment. I didn’t touch upon a participant who’s from India, England or Australia. I used to be simply saying issues as a cricketer. If Kapil Dev says he needs to advise Abdul Razzaq, I welcome that assertion.
The most effective factor about Hardik is that he’s very sturdy each mentally and bodily. He is effective. This drives him ahead. He hits the ball cleanly. He takes the factors in decisive conditions. Once you ship him to the bowl, he takes the factors. You ship him to bat and he scores runs for you. He’s the match winner. No person’s good.
He is aware of learn how to work on a few issues, which he says are areas for improvement – concerning footwork, bat motion and learn how to assess the supply earlier than it’s bowled. That is what I meant earlier than. It was only a assertion as a former all-rounder. Individuals took it the unsuitable manner and criticized me too.
Hardik is an entire all-rounder. However nobody is ideal. Everybody wants enchancment in sure areas. Once I was enjoying, I used to be additionally lacking sure issues. Wasim Akram was the identical, Imran Khan was the identical, Kapil Dev was the identical. However we nonetheless think about all of them recreation greats.
As somebody who has talked about Hardik up to now and seen his progress, how would you describe the rise and rise of Hardik Pandya?
He’s undoubtedly an excellent cricketer. I actually like him. He hits the ball cleanly. He’s a really clear hitter. I used to bat in the identical manner as Pandya. I additionally love his bowling. He’s an impression participant. Once you symbolize your nation, it’s a must to produce distinctive performances in order that the group begins to belief you.
You may’t actually design a robust MFP in a single day. What does it take to be a powerful all-rounder? Additionally, how a lot additional strain does the all-rounder really feel on batsmen and bowlers?
Individuals usually say that hitting is difficult. I say if batting is troublesome then bowling can be troublesome. These are completely different expertise, and each are troublesome. The batsman says issues are powerful for him. Bowler says issues are powerful for him too. Each concentrate on one factor at a time. However multifaceted has to work with each departments. He handles each batting and bowling with out grievance.
A flexible participant has to work onerous for his bodily coaching. Issues could be actually powerful for a multitasker. He has to self-discipline himself and attempt to obtain perfection in each departments. Being versatile just isn’t straightforward in any respect. This isn’t an in a single day journey. This takes numerous time.
When a batsman will get 100 or 200, he does not have sufficient vitality left. However when an all-rounder scores 100, he ought to nonetheless have the vitality left to come back again and bowl and take the factors for his group.
In India, IPL has performed an enormous function. This match produces new gamers. In Pakistan we’ve Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL). The principle goal of those leagues is to showcase new expertise, nurture them and provides them an opportunity to play for the nation relying on their efficiency.
We’ve got had star gamers like Lance Klusener, Jacques Kallis, Wasim Akram, Chris Gayle, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev. I hope we see their like quickly.
The subsequent version of IPL is now across the nook. We’ve got seen Pakistani gamers like Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Asif and plenty of extra in IPL 2008 version…
From a cricketing standpoint, if we bury the variations, every little thing must be open. We wish our gamers to play in IPL. Indian gamers ought to play in PSL. Cricket is promoted, folks get pleasure from watching Pakistani cricketers in IPL. This could occur to be able to promote the sport.
Your ideas on India vs Pakistan bilateral sequence?
If I could make an announcement about Hardik Pandya, then in fact I would really like that too (India vs Pak bilateral cricket sequence). As a sportsperson, I’ve commented on Hardik Pandya. India and Pakistan ought to play. This brings a lot pleasure. Individuals get pleasure from it. Cricket is promoted. There may be a lot strain in India vs Pakistan matches. You (cricketers) will get pleasure from it extra. The entire world is watching you. It’s also possible to develop good gamers with these matches.
Which Indian batsmen and bowlers did Pakistan design essentially the most throughout your enjoying days?
Virender Sehwag was essentially the most harmful participant. After that, Sachin Tendulkar. Pakistan deliberate towards Sehwag and Tendulkar. Our plan was earlier than – if we get these two locations – Sehwag and Tendulkar – we are going to win the match. In bowling, our batsmen deliberate towards Zaheer Khan. Irfan Pathan was additionally there for some time. Harbhajan Singh was there. These had been large names enjoying large matches and performing for his or her nation.
Within the center order, Yuvraj Singh was one. Sehwag, Tendulkar, Yuvraj had been the massive large names. After we fired them, we used to say, sure, we scored large at the moment. Towards these gamers, Pakistan deliberate severely. The plan included how and what to bowl, sure areas to bowl to them, discipline structure and making an attempt completely different bowling and deliveries towards these batsmen. Equally, our batsmen deliberate towards bowlers like Zaheer, Harbhajan and Irfan.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Debate. Your place…
Virat is a wonderful and improbable participant. The most effective half is that he brings his group alongside. His intention is all the time constructive. He makes use of his expertise very effectively. The principle factor is that his health is world class. Babar Azam’s health just isn’t like Virat Kohli’s. Babar must work extra for his health.
Babar is Pakistan’s primary. Babar is definitely the primary batsman on the planet (ODI). Be it in any format of the sport, Check, ODI or T20I, he has constantly carried out effectively. Each nation has one participant like them (Virat and Babar). We needn’t examine them. It is like asking who is best – Kapil Dev or Imran Khan? These comparisons should not good. Kohli is an effective participant for India. Equally, Babar Azam is an effective participant for Pakistan. Kohli is a world class participant, Babar too. However Kohli’s health is significantly better than Babar’s.
