Babar Azam was recently named the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2021.
India's fast bowler Mohammad Shami shared his opinion on Pakistan captain Babar Azam's comparison with Indian stalwart Virat Kohli. Babar is currently Pakistan's best batter and he was recently named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year.
Shami, speaking to India.com, praised Babar for his batting and called him a 'great player'. But he feels the Pakistan batter can't be compared with the likes of Kohli and Steve Smith currently.
“Pakistan have been playing very good cricket of late and the emergence of three-four players have really helped them a lot. No doubt Babar Azam is a great player. But to compare him with the likes of Steve Smith, Joe Root or Virat Kohli will be unfair on him.
"I would say let him play for that many years and then maybe we can judge. At the moment, if he continues to play like that, then he would obviously end his career as one of the greats from Pakistan. Good luck Babar Azam, I would say,” he said.
Last year, Babar scored 405 runs in six matches at an average of 67.50. He had also opened up on comparison with Kohli, calling him one of the world's best and that he feels proud when people mention him in the same sentence as the India captain.
"Virat Kohli is one of the best players in the world. He has performed everywhere and in big matches. When people compare us, I don’t feel pressure, I feel proud because they are comparing me with such a big player," Babar said in his interview with Khaleej Times.
"Personally, I don’t think there should be a comparison, but people do that and I feel happy. So my aim is to perform the way he does and help my team win matches and make Pakistan proud. Look, we are different players. I have my style of playing and he has his style. So I try to perform to the best of my ability."
(With India.com Inputs)