KARACHI: Former England captain and renowned commentator Nasser Hussain praised Pakistan’s all-format captain and top-ranked white ball player Babar Azam, saying he would tell youngsters to watch him play cover.
Nasser, in an interview, responded to the host’s question regarding which international cricketers youngsters should emulate by playing cover and said he would tell them to watch Babar and a few other international players, including India’s KL Rahul.
“I have named Ian Bell, in the women’s game Lenning and Wolvaardt. Absolutely beautiful and it’s even nicer. [to] the eye because it is a touch game. KL Rahul, for someone who plays a lot of cue ball cricket, I watch him a lot,” Nasser said.
“Kane Williamson, again, someone who plays right under him. I don’t think there is any cricketer in the history of the game who played the ball later than Williamson.
Joe Root, the cover of him and that open face that goes through the ball,” he continued.
The former England captain then made a special mention of Babar and apologized to the Indian fans for rating him above Virat Kohli, before declaring that if he was teaching any child, he would watch Babar’s covering unit.
“I am going to be biased. Sorry Indian fans but I’m going with Babar Azam. I almost went to Kohli because I think Kohli is a bit different. Kohli has a bit more wrist movement. Babar Azam has a lovely little [touch]Nasser shared.
“If I were teaching a young girl to look, I would ask her to look at Meg Lanning. I’m teaching any youngster to watch a coverage drive. I would say keep an eye on Babar,” she maintained.
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