‘Ifti Chachu ne ganja funk liya’ – Fans rip apart Iftikhar Ahmad as he calls Babar Azam ‘The best player in the world’

Pakistan’s middle-order Iftikhar Ahmed has defended his skipper Babar Azam in midst of criticism of the latter’s strike rate. Recently, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi opined that Azam is one of the best players in the world. However, the former added that the only thing that is stopping Babar Azam from reaching the levels of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers is his ability to finish his game.

“I don’t know about winning a match but Babar can definitely hold one end and let others express their game. He takes his time. See, Babar is no.1 player in the world, he is the pride of Pakistan, but the one thing that stops him from reaching the ranks of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers is his finishing. He hasn’t proved himself as a match-winner yet. I want him to be a finisher. That’s the only thing that stops him from entering their class,” Afridi said.

There is no player like Babar Azam in the world: Iftikhar Ahmad

Meanwhile, in an interview, Ahmad was asked about the criticism against Babar on his strike rate. To which, the former replied by saying that there is no player like the current Pakistan skipper in the world. The right-hander added that people who are criticizing Azam must analyze their level of the game.

“Everyone knows that there is no other player like Babar in the world,” Iftikhar said.

“People criticising Babar should first see whether they are at a level, where they can comment on him. First, reach his level and become a cricketer like him, and then criticise Babar,” he added.

Meanwhile, at this point, the Pakistani players are busy playing in the ongoing eighth season of the Pakistan Super League. Babar is leading the 2017 winners, Peshawar Zalmi while Iftikhar is playing for Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Quetta Gladiators. On the other hand, the fans are bashing Ahmad for his comments on Babar Azam.

This is how Twitter reacted

Best Batsman- Babar Azam
Best Bowler- SS Afridhi
Best All-rounder- Shadab Khan
Best finisher- Ifthikar
Best Power Hitter- Azam Khan
Best T20,ODI Test Team- Pakistan

But In the end, you need Kholi's pic to expand your reach.

— Akshay Ganapathy (@DGAkshay) March 4, 2023

https://twitter.com/Ashsay_/status/1631905982195351554?s=20

https://twitter.com/Vid_itt/status/1631904933095288833?s=20

https://twitter.com/pawar143/status/1631927107818516480?s=20

https://twitter.com/NitinMandhar9/status/1631904599337742336?s=20

Runs Scored by Gobar Azam In Winning cause at home in WTC21-23 cycle:- 0

Runs Scored By Siraj In Winning Cause In India Vs Australia Series:- 2

Siraj > Gobar In Test As A Batsman.

— Nisha  (@NishaRo45) March 4, 2023

Best vs Best pic.twitter.com/Agxz12ggcl

— Harshal (@Harshal54p) March 4, 2023

Why Pakistani always compare or tries to prove that Babar is a good player..He is a class player..no doubt..But somewhere agree with Afridi that he is not able to finish matches.

— Vikram Kashyap (@VikramK44239022) March 4, 2023

https://twitter.com/shelarsiddhesh8/status/1631926536139079681?s=20

https://twitter.com/sairaj_kokate/status/1631939891893501953?s=20