Babar Azam says he models his shots after AB de Villiers

Pakistani batsman Babar Azam has revealed that he models his shots after those of AB de Villiers. Azam, who is currently the number one ranked ODI batsman in the world, said that de Villiers is his "idol" and that he tries to copy the South African's batting style. "I enjoy watching him play.

I try to copy some of his shots. He de Villiers is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and has been praised for his innovative and unorthodox shot-making. Azam will hope to emulate de Villiers' success when Pakistan take on England in a three-match ODI series, starting on May 8.

Who is Babar Azam?

Babar Azam is a Pakistani cricketer who has been compared to AB de Villiers. He is a top-order batsman who has represented Pakistan in all three formats of the game. 

He is currently the vice-captain of the Pakistan Test team.

Azam made his first-class debut for Islamabad in 2009 and played his first One Day International (ODI) for Pakistan in 2015. 

He scored his maiden Test century against West Indies in 2016 and was named as the PCB's Emerging Player of the Year. In 2017, he was ranked as the world's second best T20I batsman by the ICC.

Azam has been described as one of the most naturally gifted batsmen in Pakistan cricket history. His style of play has been compared to that of AB de Villiers and he has stated that he models his shots after the South African batsman.

Who is AB de Villiers?

AB de Villiers is a South African cricketer who has been described as one of the best batsmen of his generation. He is known for his unorthodox shots and his ability to play shots all around the ground. He has also been praised for his fielding abilities and his athleticism. 

De Villiers made his Test debut against England in 2004, and he scored a century in his second Test match. He has gone on to score over 8,000 runs in Test cricket and over 11,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). De Villiers is also a part-time wicket-keeper and he has captained the South African national team.

What is the similarity between the two players' batting styles?

Babar Azam and AB de Villiers are both world-class batsmen who have achieved a lot of success in international cricket. They are also both known for their elegant batting styles and their ability to score runs all around the ground.

One of the main similarities between the two players' batting styles is that they are both very balanced. This means that they are able to play shots off either foot and they have no problem hitting the ball in any direction. Additionally, both batsmen are known for their fluent strokeplay and their ability to score runs quickly.

Another similarity between the two players is that they are both very patient at the crease. This allows them to wait for the right delivery to score runs off, and it also means that they rarely get out cheaply.

Finally, both Babar Azam and AB de Villiers are excellent fielders. This is another important similarity between the two players, as it means that they can save runs for their team and also contribute in the field when required.

How has this influenced Azam's batting?

Azam has been a prolific run-scorer in limited-overs cricket since he made his debut in 2013, and he is currently ranked as the No. 1 batsman in the world in Twenty20 Internationals.

He has regularly spoken about the influence that de Villiers has had on his batting, and how he looks to model his shots on the South African great.

"I grew up watching AB de Villiers and always admired the way he played," Azam said in an interview with Wisden last year.

"I try to play my shots like him and also keep my calm under pressure, which is something he does really well."

Azam's ability to score runs consistently at a high strike-rate has drawn comparisons with de Villiers, and he is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world.

What other shots does Azam like to play?

Azam likes to play a variety of shots, but he particularly enjoys playing the cut shot. He has said that he models his batting after AB de Villiers, and that he tries to imitate the shots that de Villiers plays. Azam also enjoys playing the drive and the hook shot.