Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Babar Azam seems to be tired of his constant comparisons with Virat Kohli, as the latest batting superstar wants to be compared with Pakistan greats like Javed Miandad, Younis Khan, and Inzamam-ul-Haq instead of Indian players.
Babar has grown his stature over the past few years with immaculate talent, skills, and sheer consistency across all three formats of the game and for which even he has been often compared with India captain and one of the modern-day greats Kohli by many in the recent times.
Reacting strongly to the ever-rising comparisons with Kohli, the star right-hander on Thursday (July 2) said he would feel prouder of the accomplishments if he is compared with his country’s legends.
Babar said in an online media interaction from England: “I would be happier if you compare me to say a Javed Miandad, Muhammad Yousuf or Younis Khan. Why compare me to Kohli or any Indian player?”
He further added, “If you want to compare me with someone, I would like to be compared to Pakistan’s players, instead of Virat Kohli. We have had legends like Javed Miandad, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq. If you compare me to these legends, I will like it more and feel proud of my accomplishments.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan is currently in England to play three Tests and as many as T20Is in August-September and the 25-year-old insisted that he isn’t targeting any single England bowler.
Babar stated, “I don't see who the bowler is or his reputation. I just try to play each ball on merit. England no doubt has a top bowling attack and they have the advantage of playing at home but this is a challenge I want to score runs in.”
Recently former Pakistan players had already written off Pakistan for the England Test series, and Babar said “We don't have a bad team and already we have been enjoying our training. It is good to be back on the field after such a long lay-off. I think we have the bowlers to trouble them like Abbas, Naseem, Shaheen, and others while we have some experience in our batting line-up.”
Babar has also revealed his dream to score a century in Tests. He added, “When you score a century, you naturally want to go on and convert that into a double or a triple century. This is something I would like to do during the Test series. I like to play my natural game but my selection of shots depends on the conditions and bowlers.”
He signed off by saying “we first have to give Mohammad Rizwan a proper chance and Sarfaraz is there as back up” on their England tour.
Noteworthy, Kohli is far ahead from the Pakistan star and is the only batsman currently who averages over 50 in all three formats of the game while Babar has scored 16 international hundreds so far and averages more than 50 in ODIs and T20s while 45 in 26 Tests.
(With PTI Inputs)
