Babar Azam vs Marnus Labuschagne

[Nikola]

Both have peaked in test cricket in last year or two and both have similar age. Who will be best batsman between them to dominate world cricket?

 

Babar Azam

 

 

Excellent batsman in all formats. Had poor start to test career but has improved in last 2 years or so. I expect him to be top player for next couple of years.

 

 

Marnus Labuschagne

 

 

Wasn't rated back in 2018 much but since he went to county and came back for ashes (as smith's concussion replacement) he has never looked back. He has just started his odi career. I can see him being good odi player. Don't know if he can be successful in t20s. Can be handy bowler in test cricket.

 

My current analysis (atm)

 

Tests: Marnus > Babar

Odis: Babar >>> Odis 

 

If we go as per all formats there is no doubt babar is well ahead right now but let's see how both perform with time.

Edited December 22, 2021 by Nikola

[Vickydev]

Babar is easier on the eye no doubt, will stand out more aswell as he is the sole carrier of Pakistan batting but likewise will have more pressure to handle. As Pakistan will challenge more we will get to see his mental strength to see his team through wins. Right now he hasnt won them many games.

[Ankit_sharma03]

4 hours ago, Nikola said:

Tests: Marnus > Babar

let marnus score in diff conditions , Babar has scored in all SENA countries 

Marnus scored in england but didnt do much in UAE

 

[Nikola]

51 minutes ago, Ankit_sharma03 said:

let marnus score in diff conditions , Babar has scored in all SENA countries 

Marnus scored in england but didnt do much in UAE

 

Marnus which failed in UAE failed against India & Srilanka at home too. I am talking about his performance after county season but yes his real test will be in asian conditions.

[BacktoCricaddict]

In tests, the biggest difference is ML makes daddy scores (185, 162, 215), and quite routinely of late.  BA, not so much.  With BA, it seems like the his concentration will waver any moment and bowlers always have a chance.  The way ML is playing these days, once he settles, you'll be in for the long ride.  

[raki05]

2 hours ago, Ankit_sharma03 said:

let marnus score in diff conditions , Babar has scored in all SENA countries 

Marnus scored in england but didnt do much in UAE

 

it's like comparing smith of past 3-4 years to the smith which came as bowling all rounder.

[Sandeep99]

Babar Azam is the better batsman I think. The guy has all shots in his book and has worked out his game for pressure situations as well. I never saw him play loose shots even in extreme situations. Lolli for all the hype he has can't bat to save his life. But Marnus comes from a great system and will definitely improve over the years. I can see these two competing for the top spot in 3 years of time.

[Stan AF]

Both are excellent promising batsmen. A career worth 10,000 Test runs atleast. Wishing them both these batsmen the very best.

 

Need a next set of fab4 or even five batsmen to root for. Good that there's already two here.

Edited August 7, 2020 by Stan AF

[Nikola]

 

Marnus ranked #1 now. Does anyone remember any player who wasn't even considered like international level batsman at time of debut to go on to become #1 ranked test batsman?

 

Babar needs to work on his test batting.

Edited December 22, 2021 by Nikola

[vvvslaxman]

3 hours ago, Nikola said:

 

Marnus ranked #1 now. Does anyone remember any player who wasn't even considered like international level batsman at time of debut to go on to become #1 ranked test batsman?

 

Babar needs to work on his test batting.

 

 

Terrific consistency. It is hard to reach no.1 ranking that fast unless you are the only one that is doing well in the world.  Root, Smith, Kane have all been doing reasonably well.  Rohit has also joined them.  May be it is a touch easier these days to get to top 10. Even Rahane got into top 10 not long ago after one good series. 

[putrevus]

There is sense of calmness in Marnus's batting which Babbar does not have it.

 

[Vijy]

Babar is an excellent LOI batsman, albeit a bit too slow, which can prove critical. He is comfortably far better than Labu in these formats.

 

In tests, scoring big runs and grinding opposition is necessary, not making attractive 50s (which was also root's problem earlier). babar has a more pleasing attacking game, but labu has that grit and determination to keep grinding his way to big runs. I'd rate him higher for this reason in tests.

 

much as I like babar in tests, I actually think Fawad Alam and Rizwan have played more "clutch" knocks among the Pak team.

[Adamant]

4 hours ago, Nikola said:

 

Marnus ranked #1 now. Does anyone remember any player who wasn't even considered like international level batsman at time of debut to go on to become #1 ranked test batsman?

 

 

Steve Smith 

[Nikola]

3 minutes ago, Adamant said:

Steve Smith 

 

didn't he avg around 55 in first class around time of his debut? also i guess steve waugh said back in 2010/11 he is special talent. marnus averaged around 35 at time of debut.

[Vijy]

4 hours ago, Nikola said:

 

Marnus ranked #1 now. Does anyone remember any player who wasn't even considered like international level batsman at time of debut to go on to become #1 ranked test batsman?

 

Babar needs to work on his test batting.

Michael Vaughan was rated No. 1 in Test ICC rankings for some time. When he was brought into squad, he had a fairly ordinary FC record.

[Majestic]

And then we have got our very own,

 

Kannur Lokesh Rahul

Edited December 22, 2021 by Majestic

[cricketfan28]

Babar for me, he will an ATG in tests and ODI, Marnus might flop after few years, likely to lose the discipline needed.

[cricketfan28]

6 hours ago, Majestic said:

And then we have got our very own,

 

Kannur Lokesh Rahul

mental toughness needed , once that is in place he can compete with the best.

[Jay]

3 hours ago, cricketfan28 said:

Babar for me, he will an ATG in tests and ODI, Marnus might flop after few years, likely to lose the discipline needed.

Never heard of anyone with an average of 42 in domestics do well in tests. 

 

He will be a great in odi though. 

[Jay]

3 hours ago, cricketfan28 said:

mental toughness needed , once that is in place he can compete with the best.

Nha he is overrated. Been given a million chances. Will be a good player but not great.