Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has made a bold statement after Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won the ICC Cricketer of the Year award. He said that the batter is yet to hit his peak and there’s still room for improvement for him.
“He’s probably not at his peak,” Ricky Ponting after Babar Azam won the ICC Cricketer of the Year award
It’s fair to say that Pakistan batter Babar Azam was one of the best batters in the year 2022. The right-hander shattered many records and scored truckloads of runs last year.
He won the ICC ODI Player of the Year as was at his exceptional best in the 50-over former last year and bailed his team out of trouble many times. He amassed 679 runs from nine matches at an average of 84.87 with three centuries in the 50-over format.
He was consistent in all the formats and was the mainstay of his side’s batting lineup. Babar was named in the ICC Test and ODI team of the year.
However, if this was not enough Babar Azam was awarded ICC Cricketer of the Year. It’s fair to say that he carried his team single-handedly and was the main reason behind their success. In the year, 2022, he scored 2598 runs in 44 matches at an average of 54.12 with eight centuries and 15 half-centuries.
Absolutely proud of you Kaptaan Babar Azam. You deserve all the rewards and accolades. Wish you the best in every aspect of life. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/HUaylDdhe9
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) January 26, 2023
While many felt that he was at his best, Ricky Ponting feels that the peak of Babar Azam is yet to come. Speaking to ICC, he said: “He’s probably not (at his peak). Most batters come into their prime in the start of their early thirties. You’re sort of working on your game and improving your game right through to a certain point.
“And that for most guys is it. You look at where Steve Smith and (David) Warner and those guys have been. Steve Smith is probably playing as well as he’s ever played now, along with guys like Kane Williamson as well in their early thirties.”
“I think Babar’s still got a little bit of improvement to come,” Ricky Ponting on Babar Azam
Babar Azam further went on to say that there’s room for improvement for him. He said that he loves watching him play and said:
“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. I love watching him play. I think there’s some room for improvement, let’s hope we see it.” He concluded.
