Basit Ali hails Tilak Varma after heroics in 2nd T20I against England, recalls Mohammad Azharuddin’s words

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has showered praise on Tilak Varma after he scored a brilliant knock in the second T20I against England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Saturday. The hosts secured a thrilling two-wicket win to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Ali recalled that former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin told him to keep an eye on Tilak Varma when the batter impressed while playing for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. 

The left-hander scored a match-winning knock of 72 runs off 55 balls in the second game of the series while chasing 166. The hosts were struggling at 78-5 after 9.1 overs but Varma was able to steady the ship and took the team home.

The southpaw has scored 707 runs in 22 T20Is at an impressive average of 58.92 and a blistering strike rate of 156.07 in his young career.

Basit Ali said on his YouTube Channel, “When I interviewed Mohammad Azharuddin, he took the name of Tilak Varma when he was nothing, playing only in IPL. He said, ‘There is Tilak Varma, watch him [play]’ and now it’s come true.”

Ali lauded the youngster for performing consistently since he has been given the number three position in T20Is.

“Duniya ek numbari to Tilak Varma teen nambari (If the World No.1, then Tilak Varma is No. 3.) You’ll ask what did I say? It’s because he is performing back-to-back since he’s come at No. 3.”

“Tilak Varma [is] too good since he’s started keeping long hair. I am joking [chuckles].”

Varma has been batting at the top of his game and he would look to carry his purple patch.

The third T20I between India and England will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on Tuesday.