Babar Azam is the best player in the world: Imad Wasim

After a superb performance by the Pakistan skipper Babar Azam — who scored a sensational century — in the second T20I against New Zealand on Saturday in Lahore, Pakistan, Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim praised the skipper, calling him “the best player in the world”.

During matchAzam helped his team take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series by scoring 101 runs off 58 balls with 11 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 174.13.

Talking to Azam after the match, Wasim said the right-hander is currently the best player in the world.

“I’ve seen a lot of innings but I think this one was at the top, especially the way he did it [Babar] resumed when we lost three cards. The wicket also held. But the way he played was simply brilliant. There is no doubt that he is the best player in the world, he said.

Notably, Pakistan won the second T20I by 38 runs thanks to Azam’s brilliance with the bat, pacing Haris Rauf with a four-wicket haul.

“I am very happy to feature in this match,” said Azam, who is now the most successful T20I captain with 42 wins, alongside England’s Eoin Morgan and Afghanistan’s Asghar Afghan.

“I had two good partnerships and then our bowling was excellent again. We have experienced and exciting young bowlers who gave us back-to-back wins.”

Targeting 193 runs, the Kiwis were limited to 154-7 in 20 overs.

Eight Kiwis are missing for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and skipper Kane Williamson has a bad knee injury, leaving batsman Tom Latham as captain – and plenty of opportunities for newcomers to shine.

The remaining three T20 matches are on April 17 in Lahore and April 20 and 24 in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan and New Zealand will also meet in five one-day internationals after the T20 series, honing their preparations for this year’s 50-over World Cup in India.

The tour is compensation for New Zealand pulling out of their visit to Pakistan on the day of the first game in September 2021, citing security concerns.

The Black Caps played two Tests and three ODIs in Pakistan just three months ago.