Babar Azam continues to feel inspired by widespread comparisons with Indian skipper Virat Kohli. The Pakistani youngster takes such claims as a huge compliment but deep within he is aware of where exactly and how much improvement is needed to be made in order to reach even close to Kohli. 

"It’s flattering to be compared to Kohli," Babar was quoted saying by ICC, "He is very consistent, and his mindset is very good. He gives 100 per cent every time he walks out to bat."

"I am at the start of my career, so the aim is to be like him, and be the epitome of performance in each of Pakistan's wins."

Babar remains a prolific run-scorer in ODIs and T20Is for Pakistan. But the right-hander must be delighted with the progress that he has started to exhibit in Test match cricket.

The 24-year-old was recently his team's highest run-getter on the tour of South Africa, where his batting against Dale Steyn under tough circumstances especially stood out. 

"I keep learning from my mistakes and I take advice from my seniors Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq because I want to be better and better in Test cricket," he said, "[Test cricket] is the test of skill, patience and fitness of a player. The aim is to be the best for Pakistan across all formats."

Head coach Mickey Arthur, someone who has always had a lot of faith in Babar, thinks that this is just the beginning of how far he sees him going. 

"He will be in the top five (batsmen) of the world very soon across all formats," Arthur reckons, "I thought I was a bit quick off the gun when I said two years ago that he would be almost as good as Kohli, but it has taken him a while to show that class."

"But if you watched him in the nets couple of years ago, he was a young boy who has developed into a young man, he’s got stronger and fitter and his game gets better and better all the time."