Joe Root calls Babar Azam “without a doubt one of the best players”

• Joe Root, the top batter for England, praised Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan
• Saying that he is “without a doubt” one of the best players in the world

“He’s done it across formats for a number of years now. His record across the world in Test cricket has been pretty consistent. He’s one of those players whom you sit and watch as he bats. He’s going to go from strength to strength,” Root said in an exclusive conversation with a news channel

He added that while Babar hasn’t peaked just yet and there’s more to come. “So we’re going to have to play really well to keep him quiet.”

The English cricketer expressed concern over the health of his colleagues and expressed hope that they would recover quickly and have a successful series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on December 1 in their first Test match.

“I think there’s a virus going around the team. It’s just one of those things sometimes. We don’t think its food related. It’s just an unfortunate thing that can happen sometimes when you’ve got a group, they’re tight together. I didn’t feel great yesterday and feel much better today. So hopefully, it’s just a 24-hour thing and the guys can turn it tomorrow and we can reap into what should be a great series,” he said.

Joe Root stated that England’s visit to Pakistan for the three-match series is a major development for Test cricket and that his team would carry on with its recent style of play.

In 124 Tests, 158 ODIs, 32 T20 Internationals, and 124 ODIs, the 31-year-old Root has amassed almost 17,600 runs in international cricket.

The 124-Test veteran responded that the Pakistan series is a great time for Test cricket and that England has been well taken care of.

“I feel very fortunate. We’ve been looked after extremely well since we come in, and we’re very excited to get into it, it should be a fantastic contest. We know how good Pakistan are, they have some wonderful players across the board in all departments. So, we know how to play some great cricket but I think that makes for a very entertaining and exciting test series,” Root said.

“I think there’s a number of very talented seamers within the group, there’s some class in batting. It’s a very well-rounded team throughout and we’re just going to have to play in the same manner as we have done over the last year, and the exciting style that we’ve been playing with, which has been great. It is an opportunity to do that away from home now as well,” he added.

Root made a comment about England’s approach to Test cricket, stating that England is attempting to make the game enjoyable.

“We know that obviously results are important and I think if we play in this manner and we play how we have done, then the results will look after themselves. But ultimately, we’re here to entertain and that’s exactly what we plan on doing over the next three games,” he said.

“I think everyone will have their own views on that. I’ve never had more fun playing Test cricket than in the last six months. So, I think it’s fantastic for the game. I think it’s really exciting to play. It looks very exciting to watch as well. And, surely that’s what cricket is all about, making it entertaining for the people either sitting at home watching on television or in those in the stadium. So, if we can try and make that even better spectacle then we’ll definitely try our best to do so,” he said when asked if that’s the way Test cricket should be played now..

Shaheen Afridi has performed admirably for Pakistan over the past year, but Joe Root noted that the side has a strong depth of fast bowlers and can compete well against England.

Root continued, “We know there are others as well that we’re going to have to respect and wait for the perfect time to try and counter.”

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