NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has expressed his belief that Pakistan's Babar Azam and Indian opener Shubman Gill have the potential to challenge Virat Kohli's record of 50 ODI centuries.
Speaking on the Pakistani news channel 'ARY News,' Akmal stated that only the top three batters could break such a monumental record, and he identified Babar Azam and Shubman Gill as strong contenders.
"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)," Akmal expressed on ARY News.
Kohli recently achieved the historic milestone of 50 ODI centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar. Kamran acknowledged Kohli's achievement but believes that the likes of Babar and Shubman have the potential to follow suit.
1/10:Candid moment of Sachin congratulating Anushka after Virat's 50th century
Agencies
2/10:Anushka receives congratulations from Sachin
Anushka Sharma was patted on the back by Sachin Tendulkar and received accolades for her husband's performance.Agencies
3/10:Kohli, Anushka exchange flying kisses
Virat Kohli was seen blowing kisses to Anushka Sharma after achieving his 50th century and breaking Sachin Tendulkar's World Cup record.ANI
4/10:'Modern-day master' Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli confirmed his place as cricket's modern-day master with a record 50th one-day international hundred in India's World Cup semifinal win over New Zealand.AP
5/10:Kohli surpasses Tendulkar's record
Virat Kohli needed only 279 matches to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI hundreds, achieving his 50th century in his team's World Cup semifinal win over New Zealand.PTI
6/10:Kohli's celebration with Tendulkar
Virat Kohli celebrated his 50th century by bowing down to Sachin Tendulkar and receiving applause from his wife Anushka Sharma and other Bollywood celebrities.Reuters
7/10:Virat Kohli's dream-like achievement
Virat Kohli described his 50th century as a dream-like achievement and expressed his gratitude for the support of his wife, Anushka Sharma, and his cricketing idol, Sachin Tendulkar.PTI
8/10:Kohli helps India secure a spot in the final
Virat Kohli's third century of the tournament helped India defeat New Zealand by 70 runs and secure a spot in the World Cup final against Australia or South Africa.AP
9/10:Tendulkar praises Kohli's passion
Sachin Tendulkar praised Virat Kohli for his passion and skill, expressing his happiness that an Indian player broke his record and achieved it on the biggest stage.AFP
10/10:Kohli's gratitude towards his team
Virat Kohli expressed his gratitude towards his team for their performance throughout the tournament and for allowing him to play his role in helping the team succeed.APIn the ongoing World Cup, Kohli has been in exceptional form, amassing 711 runs in 10 matches at an average of 101.57 and a strike rate of over 90. His performance includes three centuries and five fifties, making him the highest run-getter in the tournament.
Kohli's 117 against New Zealand in the semi-final marked his 50th ODI century, creating a new milestone in the history of ODI cricket.
(With inputs from ANI)
