Pakistan recalled former skipper Babar Azam on Wednesday for the away Test series and white-ball matches against South Africa starting next week, but there was no place for spinner Sajid Khan.
“You know, when you look at (Babar’s) numbers, it's been a bit like the stuff that we were talking about with Virat [Kohli] earlier on,” Ponting said
Asked about Babar's future, Shan told the BBC's 'Stumped' podcast on Saturday: "I think he's one of the best batsmen in the world. I'm nobody to deny him a future. He has every quality to be one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket.
Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi were named on Sunday in Pakistan's squads for the November limited-overs series in Australia after being dropped from the last two Tests against England.
Babar Azam was on top of the world two years ago -- Pakistan captain and top-rated batsman in all three formats -- but he will celebrate his 30th birthday at home on Tuesday when the second Test against England begins in Multan.
Out-of-form batsman Babar Azam was dropped on Sunday as Pakistan shook up their squad for the second Test against England, following their innings and 47-run defeat in the first.
Azam announced his resignation on his personal social media just before midnight on Tuesday, before an official Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement more than 12 hours later.
Babar Azam resigned as Pakistan's white-ball skipper on Tuesday, saying he wanted to focus on his playing role in the future matches, batter said on social media site X.
Babar spent much of his early Test career batting at No.3 and there was speculation that the right-hander may return to that spot under new coach Jason Gillespie.
Pakistan recalled former skipper Babar Azam on Wednesday for the away Test series and white-ball matches against South Africa starting next week, but there was no place for spinner Sajid Khan.
“You know, when you look at (Babar’s) numbers, it's been a bit like the stuff that we were talking about with Virat [Kohli] earlier on,” Ponting said
Asked about Babar's future, Shan told the BBC's 'Stumped' podcast on Saturday: "I think he's one of the best batsmen in the world. I'm nobody to deny him a future. He has every quality to be one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket.
Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi were named on Sunday in Pakistan's squads for the November limited-overs series in Australia after being dropped from the last two Tests against England.
Babar Azam was on top of the world two years ago -- Pakistan captain and top-rated batsman in all three formats -- but he will celebrate his 30th birthday at home on Tuesday when the second Test against England begins in Multan.
Out-of-form batsman Babar Azam was dropped on Sunday as Pakistan shook up their squad for the second Test against England, following their innings and 47-run defeat in the first.
Azam announced his resignation on his personal social media just before midnight on Tuesday, before an official Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement more than 12 hours later.
Babar Azam resigned as Pakistan's white-ball skipper on Tuesday, saying he wanted to focus on his playing role in the future matches, batter said on social media site X.
Babar spent much of his early Test career batting at No.3 and there was speculation that the right-hander may return to that spot under new coach Jason Gillespie.
Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam has his sights set on the prized wicket of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam.
