‘You guys are making these stats up’ – Wasim Akram expresses displeasure to broadcaster for downplaying Babar Azam

Ravi Shastri and Wasim Akram. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The rain-marred Pakistan vs India Super 4 clash in the Asia Cup 2023 was successfully completed on Monday, September 11 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo as India won the match by 228 runs. Ahead of the fixture, fans from both countries were eager to see the battle between Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

During the mid-innings show, the broadcaster of the match also showed a fan poll about who will have the upper hand between the two. In the poll, fans had voted heavily in favour of Bumrah with 98% of people supporting him as compared to Babar who got only 2% votes. Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram was seen laughing at the poll results and asked the broadcasters to give little appreciation to Babar.

“You guys are making these stats up. What? Babar is the No. 1 batter in the world. I mean, come on guys. Give him a little appreciation. Make it 3 percent at least. It will be a great battle. One of the top bowlers in world cricket against the No. 1 batter in the world, who apparently has just 2 percent chance against him,” Akram said.

Watch the video here:

pic.twitter.com/dOjypOTRoN

— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) September 11, 2023

Notably, Babar and Bumrah had an epic encounter during the game where the Indian seamer had an upper hand over the Pakistan captain. Bumrah bowled 13 deliveries to Babar out of which 11 were dot balls and only conceded four runs.

Hardik Pandya castled Babar with a pearler

After seeing off Bumrah (1/18, five overs), the world’s number one-ranked ODI batter was castled by a vicious inswinger by Hardik Pandya in the 11th over of the innings. Babar departed for 10 (24) as Pakistan lost their second wicket on 43.

After losing their captain, no other Pakistan batter showed a fight and could only reach 128 in 32 overs in reply to India’s massive score of 356/2. As a result, they suffered their second-worst defeat in ODI cricket by 228 runs.

Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball for India as he picked up a five-wicket haul (5/25 in eight overs).