World Cup 2023: 'KL Rahul is the best No. 5 in world cricket - Former Pak captain lauds Indian stumper

India are set to take on Australia in the CWC 2023 final on Sunday (Nov 19) at the iconic Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, Ahmedabad. So far, India have been on a rampage, winning 10 games in the ongoing competition. They will meet the Aussies, who are on an eight-match winning streak, and, thus, it promises to be an enthralling finale.

Ahead of the final, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik heaped praise on KL Rahul -- one of India's top-performers in the ODI WC. In nine games, Rahul has held on to some impressive catches behind the stumps and scored 386 runs batting at No. 5; playing different roles as per match situations. Malik, thus, lauded Rahul and labelled him the 'best at No. 5 in world cricket'.

'He can finish the match, can improvise, can play with a good strike rate'

Malik said while speaking on A Sports' show The Pavillion, "The best at No 5 in the world cricket. Klassen (Heinrich) needs a base to get going. But if you compare, India have got the best batter at 5, who can play in any sort of situation. This is why KL bats at 5. If India lose two or three wickets early, he is someone, who can play according to the situation."

Also read: ODI WC final: 'He might have an outside chance to play': Ex-cricketer on THIS India player for Australia tie

"He can finish the match, can improvise, can play with a good strike rate, and we have seen it today. He is good against spinners as well as the pacers. He picks the gaps and plays the field. Against Australia, we have seen, he was the one who finished the match," Malik added.

Rahul has had scores of 97*, 19*, 34*, 27, 39, 21, 8, 102, 39* in the ODI WC at home. The right-hander has been more than handy behind the stumps as well, assisting captain Rohit Sharma with DRS calls and holding on to most of the chances (stumpings or catching opportunities). He will hope to make a mark in the upcoming final as well to help India win their third 50-over WC title.