‘Top of the ladder’: Wasim Akram, Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq shower praise on Virat Kohli | Cricket-world-cup News

Former Pakan captains Wasim Akram, Misbah-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik heaped praise on Virat Kohli, who on Sunday scored his 49th ODI hundred and equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record and powered his side to 326-5 in 50 overs at Eden Gardens. The day got even better for India. Facing the best bowling attack in the tournament, South Africa crashed to 83 all out in just 27.1 overs, its second-lowest total in ODIs.
“Congratulations to Virat Kohli. He has proved once again that he is indeed the modern day great. He is on top of that ladder. The wicket at Eden was not easy to bat on,” Wasim Akram said on A Sports.
Follow all the action from the Cricket World Cup 2023 on our special World Cup section. You can also find the latest stats, like the top scorer and the highest wicket-taker of the current edition, upcoming World Cup fixtures and the points table on the site.
Shoaib Malik, the other panel on the show hails Kohli’s fitness and said he short of words to describe how good the Indian batter was against South Africa at the Eden Gardens.
“I always say that worlds are not enough to praise this fellow. No doubt he has equaled the record of the great Sachin Tendulkar. The interesting thing about Virat’s hundreds are that most of them have come in a winning cause. That’s what matters,” said Malik.

“Scoring 100 is a massive deal, but when you win the game and I think there is nothing beyond that. Another interesting part of Virat’s game is that he assess the conditions very well. Even if he gets out, it will look like only one batter was playing.
“His physical fitness is next level, today he celebrated his 35th birthday but aisa lagta hai ki 25 saal ka bachha bhaag raha hai (looks like 25-year-old kid is running). Only physical fitness can help you to do what Virat does. He fields 50 over and then will bat long.
“He fields at the hot spot. He will field outside the 30-yard circle. If you need to stop singles, he will be withing the 30-yard as well. That;s the commitment level and it can only happen if you have the fitness level of Virat,” said Malik.
Akram also praised Rohit Sharma, who gave India a quick start, scoring 40 off 24 balls. He hit six fours and two sixes, putting on 62 off only 35 balls with Shubman Gill.

“Yes Rohit took away all the pressure. It looks like he was batting on some other track, it was extraordinary. He scored 40 off 24 balls, it was an unbelieveable start. They lost the first first wicket on 62, second on 93 but then tide was shifted towards India. After Rohit’s knock, the South African were just catching up. With such kind of opening start, the pressure is completely off on those batters who are coming next. He scored only 40 but it was very important,” said Akram.
“Then came King, King Kohli. Ball was gripping on the surface. The ball Maharaj bowled to Gill was lovely ball. I thought, they will get India quickly. But Kohli had something else in his mind,” he added.
You can try your hand at solving our Cricket World Cup crossword
Misbah-ul-Haq lauded the singles Virat took on a difficult pitch. Kohli punched singles and ran hard as boundaries were hard to come .
“91 runs in 10 overs allowed Kohli to take his time. Scoring singles were so difficult. Virat again showed his class. He milked singles, hit the odd boundaries. Stayed there till the end,” said Misbah. Most Read
1
India vs South Africa, World Cup 2023 Highlights: Kohli’s century, Jadeja’s fifer help India beat South Africa 243 runs

2
When Gulzar sat silently with Tabu for one hour, offered her Maachis after that: ‘This relationship impacted my life the most’

See More

After India’s another dominating performance, Karam said this World Cup is now “India vs Rest of the World.”
“Giving the World cup to India won’t be fair. It should be Rest of the World vs India. I mean total domination,” Wasim Akram said.
“All three aspects of the game batting, bowling fielding. It doesn’t matter whether they are bowling first or batting, they have shown a complete control in all the facets of the game. What can I say about today’s performance,” he said.