Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has lauded legendary all-rounder Imran Khan’s statement about the Men in Green skipper Babar Azam.
Latif believes that the timing and wording of Khan’s statement about Azam was spot on.
"[Imran] Khan sahab has given a very strong statement. There is no match to his cricketing acumen in the whole world. He made predictions about many players in the past and most of them came true. One or two mistakes can happen. But he keeps a keen eye on cricket, so his statement was timely," Latif said on his YouTube channel.
Earlier, Khan lavished praise on Azam while highlighting the latter’s impressive batting ability.
While speaking on a YouTube channel, Khan, who led Pakistan to the World Cup win in 1992, said that Azam has the potential to go on and become one of the greatest batters of all time.
"Our captain [Babar Azam] is an outstanding batter. I have seen a batter of such quality after a very long time. I have analysed him in every way, because I analyse batter through a bowler’s lens. His technique, talent and temperament are all brilliant. It is very rare to find all three of these things in one batter, but he has them all. He has the potential to leave everyone behind," Khan said.
Azam, who leads Pakistan in all formats of the game, is considered one of the best batters in the world at the moment.
The prolific right-hander is ranked number one in ODIs, third in T20Is and fifth in Test cricket among batters on the ICC Rankings.
Meanwhile, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting had also stated that Azam’s best form with the bat and as a skipper is still ahead of him.
"I think Babar’s still got a little bit of improvement to come, which is a pretty scary thought with what he’s been able to do, pretty much across all three formats over the last three, four years," Ponting said.
"I love watching him play. I think there’s some room for improvement, let’s hope we see it.
“I’m sure with a bit more experience under his belt, like he’s done with his batting, I’m sure he’ll find the right way to lead and be a very successful captain of Pakistan.”
- Babar Azam