‘Babar Azam can do it…’: Kamran Akmal backs ex-Pakistan captain to break Virat Kohli’s 50 ODI centuries record – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has expressed his belief that Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Indian opener Shubman Gill have the potential to challenge Virat Kohli’s record of 50 ODI centuries.
Speaking on the Pakistani news channel ‘ARY News,’ Akmal stated that only the top three batters could break such a monumental record, and he identified Babar Azam and Shubman Gill as strong contenders.

“Vo (record) top-3 waale he tod sakte hai 50 hundreds ka. Middle-order batsman nahi tod payega. Hamare paas Babar (Azam) hai vo kar sakta hai. Top-3 mein khelta hai. Unke paas abhi (Shubman) Gill hai, vo peeche lag sakta hai is record ke (Only the top three batters can break the record of 50 ODI centuries, and the middle-order can’t break it. We have Babar Azam who can break it. They have Shubman Gill who can chase the record),” Akmal expressed on ARY News.

Kohli recently achieved the historic milestone of 50 ODI centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar. Kamran acknowledged Kohli’s achievement but believes that the likes of Babar and Shubman have the potential to follow suit.

In the ongoing World Cup, Kohli has been in exceptional form, amassing 711 runs in 10 matches at an average of 101.57 and a strike rate of over 90. His performance includes three centuries and five fifties, making him the highest run-getter in the tournament.
Kohli’s 117 against New Zealand in the semi-final marked his 50th ODI century, creating a new milestone in the history of ODI cricket.

(With inputs from ANI)