Ever since his emergence as Pakistan's best batsman across all forms of the game, Babar Azam has been widely compared with his more experienced Indian counterpart Virat Kohli.

While Babar doesn't like being compared with anybody else, the 26-year-old does feel proud when his name is taken in the same breath as Kohli's.

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"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.

"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," he told the Khaleej Times.

Babar, who pipped Kohli to become the No. 1 ODI batsman in April, also hoped to maintain the consistency he has managed so far.

"Thanks to Allah for the respect I have earned in cricket. It’s a matter of great pride that my name is now being taken alongside such big players. As I have said, scoring those three centuries (against the West Indies) was the turning point. My confidence level was very high after that. But my mindset has remained the same. I play every match as if it’s my last match.

"I have learned a lot by talking to the great players. No one can be perfect, and you want to learn every day. Thanks to Allah and the blessings from the people that my name is being mentioned alongside such big players. I will try to maintain this. I have to remain focused and fit to maintain this level of consistency," he said.

Babar Azam was last seen in action during the Zimbabwe tour in March-April. He will return to action for Karachi Kings when the second leg of PSL 2021 resumes in Abu Dhabi this month.