‘Joke of the year’ – Fans react as Kamran Akmal believes Babar Azam can break Virat Kohli’s record of 50 ODI centuries

The fans again targeted Pakistan’s former wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal for his remarks over Virat Kohli’s 50th ODI century. Virat Kohli shattered India’s legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s record of the most number of centuries in one-day international cricket as he scored the 50th century in the first semi-final of the ODI World Cup 2023 against New Zealand in Mumbai on 15 November. 

Kamran Akmal believes their former captain and top-order batsman Babar Azam can easily break Virat Kohli’s record of 50 ODI centuries. He also backed India’s young opening batsman, Shubman Gill, to break Kohli’s record. 

“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),” 

Virat Kohli on scoring 50th ODI century during the semi-final against New Zealand

“I said it in Kolkata, it feels great for me honestly. It feels too good to be true, like the stuff of dreams. I never thought it would be like this in my career. Just glad everything came together so nicely and we put a great total on the board,” said Virat Kohli in the innings break. 

“As I said stuff of dreams. Anushka was sitting right there, and Sachin Paaji was here too. Difficult to explain this. If I could paint a perfect picture I would want this to be the picture. My life partner, the person I love the most is sitting there, my hero is sitting there and I was able to get the 50th (ODI hundred) in front of all of them and all these stands in Wankhede as well, such a history venue so it was amazing,” he added. 

Look how the fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/isaifisonu/status/1725175194627531219?s=46

https://twitter.com/shahbazsarkani/status/1725171029100609569?s=46

In dreams

— Sankott (@Iamsankot) November 16, 2023

https://twitter.com/vinod_r108/status/1725173806052884896?s=46

Pakistan is not playing a single ODI for next 1 year. Babar needs to play at least 15-20 ODIs / year for next 7-10 years. Tell @KamiAkmal23 to not dream much☺️

— #Intolerant भारतीय (@goyalsanjeev) November 16, 2023

https://twitter.com/virat_facts/status/1725171550565900732?s=46

https://twitter.com/tms205/status/1725171198856777989?s=46

https://twitter.com/cricjunction008/status/1725171316775387179?s=46