Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team, recently shared insights into why he views Australia’s Pat Cummins as one of the most formidable bowlers in the game. In a discussion with Ramiz Raja on a local news channel, Babar was asked to rank some of the top bowlers according to the level of difficulty they present to batsmen.
When presented with the names of Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, Mark Wood, and Pat Cummins, Babar ranked Cummins as the toughest opponent to face. He went on to elaborate on Cummins’ exceptional skill set, highlighting how Cummins continuously enhances his game and avoids offering any loose deliveries. Babar emphasized Cummins’ ability to strategically set traps for batsmen, making every ball a challenge for the opposition.
Over the years, Cummins has shown remarkable improvement, according to Babar. He pointed out that Cummins is adept at analyzing the weaknesses of individual batsmen and bowling accordingly to exploit those weaknesses. This ability to adapt and strategize on the go makes Cummins a formidable adversary on the field.
One aspect of Cummins’ bowling that Babar highlighted is his mastery in varying his pace. Cummins often bowls deliveries ranging between 130-135 kph before surprising batsmen with deliveries exceeding 145 kph. This variation in pace adds an extra layer of complexity for batsmen, making it difficult to settle into a rhythm against him.
Furthermore, Babar noted Cummins’ precision in length, suggesting that any deviation from his usual length is a calculated move aimed at unsettling the batsman. Even if Cummins occasionally bowls a loose delivery, Babar believes it is done intentionally as part of his strategy to take wickets.
Cummins’ impact on the field was particularly evident during the 2023 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in Australia’s success. His contributions helped guide Australia to their sixth World Cup victory, with a memorable win against India in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
In conclusion, Babar Azam’s insights into facing Pat Cummins shed light on the challenges posed by one of cricket’s premier fast bowlers. Cummins’ ability to continuously evolve his game, coupled with his strategic acumen and skillful execution, make him a formidable opponent for batsmen around the world.
