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Babar Azam is always a huge wicket, same as Virat Kohli is for India: Adam Zampa

The 29-year-old was delighted that all the players made most of their opportunities and outclassed Pakistan in first ODI

Babar Azam is always a huge wicket, same as Virat Kohli is for India: Adam Zampa PHOTO: AFP

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has said that the wicket of Babar Azam is always a huge wicket and added that he has got a 'good tempo for ODI cricket'.

While talking to reporters after the end of the first ODI, the 29-year-old was delighted that all the players made most of their opportunities and outclassed Pakistan.

 "It's obviously a huge challenge, (Babar Azam) has got an excellent tempo for ODI cricket. In particular, he broke a record tonight, (scored) 4000 runs pretty quickly, so he is great for this format. He is a big wicket, same as Virat Kohli is for India," Zampa said.

"It's not ideal when a couple of guys go down, especially two guys that we are going to play, Ashton Agar and Josh Inglis, were looking forward to playing competitive cricket, but this is how the world is at this moment. The guys who have come in have all contributed," he added.

Adam Zampa was outstanding with the bowl last night as he stole the show, taking 4-38 in ten overs. He also completed 100 wickets in his 65th ODI.

Zampa dismissed Mohammad Rizwan (10), Hasan Ali (2), Mohammad Wasim (0) and Khushdil (19).

Zampa was satisfied with his spin bowling partner Mitchell Swepson as he showed some real nerves while making his ODI debut.
 
"Swepson is obviously getting better and better. It's been a really tough couple of years for Mitch. He has been running a lot of drinks and been waiting for his opportunity, obviously, he has played a couple of T20Is, but I think he bowled really well in Test series without much reward," Zampa stated.

"In tonight's ODI debut, I think 2/50 odd with the biggest wicket in the Pakistan side (is a great success), so he was under the pump too when he got that wicket, he was getting hit for sixes probably struggling to get into his spell, and he held his nerve which is what you got to do on this level. He bowled really well tonight, and I love playing with Mitch." Zampa added.
 
 "I am not sure what conditions will be like for the World Cup. We have experienced quite a lot (of dew) now in T20 games and ODIs where you bat first and defend a total with the wet ball, so that was the case tonight. The ball got really wet. I thought the guys did an excellent job to build pressure," Zampa stated.

The 29-year old reflected on the impact of dew and felt his teammates did a fantastic job bowling with the wet ball under lights. 

"Obviously, the quicks did an outstanding job, bowled economically, and we got wickets at the right time. It always feels like you are under the pump when you are bowling with the wet ball, trying to defend a total, but I think when you get the job done, it's really satisfying - those wins feel really good," Zampa said.

Both teams will lock horns in second ODI tomorrow at the Gaddafi Stadium.