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Shoaib Malik (Source: Twitter)
In recent years, Babar Azam and Virat Kohli have not been that great against spinners. It has been exploited by various teams, who have got their spinners to bowl at the two-class batters to get them out. In the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, there have been instances where Babar was dismissed by spinners. To discuss about it, Shoaib Malik talked about their techniques.
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In the dugout, there was a panel of experts like Wasim Akram, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Moin Khan, along with Malik. Misbah asked Malik to explain to the viewers the struggle of the two batters against spinners. Misbah pointed out that the captains deploy short mid-on and short mid-wicket fielders against the two batters to destroy their rhythm and reduce the strike rotation.
Malik felt that Virat and Babar have a common flaw in their technique. Malik said that both Virat and Babar have their front leg coming across the line of the stumps, which gives them less room to free their hands. malik felt that the technique had not been that good for the two against spinners. He felt that it had allowed the spinners to attack the two batters to claim their wickets.
Shoaib Malik's suggestion to Virat Kohli and Babar Azam
Malik felt that the stance had led to the blocking of some of the shots for the two batters. The former Champions Trophy winner added that Virat somehow manages to get off the strike and can still hit some odd boundaries. On the other hand, he felt that Babar does not have enough range of shots like Virat, which has made life difficult for him against spinners.
Malik said that Virat's movement across the stumps makes him a candidate for dismissals like leg before wicket. Malik felt that if Virat could get his front leg to come forward, rather than going towards the line of the stumps, it would allow him to rock back and still have enough room to clear the spinners over the fielders placed in the mid-wicket region.
Watch the video of Malik's analysis here:
Shoaib Malik explaining Virat Kohli and Babar Azam's struggle against off spin.pic.twitter.com/h4pkJSXRfM
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 31, 2023