Pakistan skipper Babar Azam opened up on comparisons with India captain Virat Kohli and said being likened with a batsman as great as Kohli, only makes him work harder with the intent to constantly improve his game.
Babar, easily Pakistan's best contemporary batsman, has been appointed his nation's captain across formats. With added responsibility and a widely acknowledged batting pedigree, Babar is currently in New Zealand on his first tour at the helm and will be leading the side in 3 T20Is and 2 Tests against the Black Caps.
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In an interview with Sportstar, Babar revealed how he tends to handle the comparisons with Kohli.
"It does feel nice that you are compared to some very good players in the game," he said. "My mindset is that I challenge myself. I set myself targets. I set myself benchmarks. I have to win matches for Pakistan. And win matches which help the team."
"Comparisons with big players also help you to set goals that match those of the big players. If your name figures in the top five of the world it is obviously a nice feeling."
"It also means that you have to keep performing to those standards and that boosts your confidence too. I like it," Babar added.
Babar isn't the first Pakistani batsmen to have a lot of his admirers on the Indian side of the border, but he cherishes the love and the support.
"Alhumdulillah I have won fans with my performances and I have friends in India too. I also have fans in India and I request them to keep supporting me. To keep backing me," said the 26-year-old, who also named his batting idol.
"My idol is Mohammad Yousuf. He was such a classy player. He had all the time in the world to play the ball. I always enjoyed watching him bat."
The talented right-hander spoke about his philosophy as a batsman, being one of those rare gems capable of showing a rock-solid defence in Test cricket while also never looking out of place in the white-ball game.
"Honestly, my batting philosophy is simple. It helps if you stay uncomplicated," he said. "I look to follow what I learnt in my early years and when I was being groomed for big cricket. I look to establish myself every time I walk out. I aim to polish my game from those lessons learnt. I work to improve my game from that position."
"The key is that I stay positive and always play to what the situation demands. I don’t discard my style at any point though," Babar added.
"Actually, my success comes from my self-belief. I don’t compromise on my self-belief at all. I don’t stray from my work ethic. Basically, I enjoy my batting."
