Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar said that he wants Virat Kohli to break Sachin Tendulkar's record of 100 centuries in international cricket. However, Akhtar admitted that it looks impossible right now, given Kohli’s form, but he is confident that the right-hander can break Tendulkar’s record.
Kohli returned to action in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 after a one-month break, where he scored 34 runs against Pakistan followed by 59 runs against Hong Kong, but the Indian batter wasn’t seen in that flow that he was used to seeing, and the whole cricket world wants to see him in his old touch.
The former Indian skipper has not scored a century since November 2019, and Akhtar wants Kohli to score another 30 centuries to become the greatest player forever. Kohli has 70 centuries to his name.
However, the Rawalpindi Express suggested Kohli wait till the T20 World Cup 2022 to see whether the 20-over format suits him; otherwise, he should make a decision in this format.
Shoaib Akhtar said on his official YouTube channel: “Virat Kohli hasn't been middling the ball really well. Both innings were quite patchy. He scored 59, I wish him best. Mera ye hi mashwara hoga Kohli ko ki dekh lo World Cup tak (My only suggestion to Kohli is to just wait till the T20 World Cup), if this format suits your or doesn't suit you. 30 centuries karni hain aur aage (you have to score 30 more centuries).”
He signed off by saying, “You can become the greatest player forever. You have to convince yourself that you are the greatest ever. This is going to be the hardest 30 centuries -- if he scores. When he goes to the longest formats, he will get time to settle.
Here, he is trying but the time is less, you have to maintain a good strike-rate, you have to ensure the team wins. He is positive, he is aggressive…he is a great player, but I really want him to score 100 centuries and break Sachin Tendulkar's record. It looks impossible right now, but this man can do it.”
