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Cricket PlayersShubman Gill can rub salt into Babar Azam's World Cup wounds as Pakistan captain's prized streak nears end
Amid Pakistan and Babar looking to lift themselves up, the captain stands on the verge of losing his mot prized streak in the ODI format
It hasn't been the campaign to remember for Babar Azam. While his team, Pakistan, has faltered to as many as three defeats on the trot in the 2023 World Cup in India, his captaincy has been subject to immense criticism especially after the shock loss to Afghanistan in Chennai on Monday. And amid Pakistan and Babar looking to lift themselves up and force their way back into reckoning, the captain stands on the verge of losing his most prized streak in the ODI format as India's Shubman Gill stands just a big knock away from dethroning him.
Babar has had a horrid start to the World Cup as a batter. Touted to take the tournament by storm amid his two-year streak as the No.1 ranked ODI batter, Babar only managed 83 runs in his first four matches, which included a fifty against India, before scoring a valiant 74 against Afghanistan, albeit in a losing cause. The tally of 157 runs in five innings saw Babar drop his ICC ranking tally to 829 rating points.
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Gill, on the other hand, scored 95 runs in his first three appearances, which included an impressive 53 against Bangladesh in Pune, and hence improved his tally to 823 rating points. This implies, Gill now stands just seven points away from pipping Babar to take the throne.
Babar will have a chance to strengthen his hold over the spot with a much-awaited big and impactful knock for Pakistan in their match against red-hot South Africa on Friday in Chennai, which could subsequently see the 1992 champions bounce back in the tournament, before India get back in action on Sunday against defending champions England.
Stiff competition for Shubman Gill as well
The India opener's position's isn't safe as well as two World Cup stars are breathing down his neck after an array of solid performances for South Africa. Quinton de Kock has lifted himself up to the third spot with 769 points after scoring three centuries in this campaign and is followed by compatriot Heinrich Klaasen, with 756 points.
