“We will plan against him”: Babar Azam plays down Virat Kohli's threat ahead of India-Pakistan clash in T20 World Cup 2024

Kohli boasts a fabulous record in the white-ball formats against Pakistan.

Virat Kohli | GettyWidely regarded as one of the greatest batters of the modern era, Virat Kohli always seems to reserve his best for the Pakistan cricket team.

While Kohli is yet to play a Test match against the arch-rivals, he boasts a fabulous record in the white-ball formats. 

Virat has played 16 ODIs against Pakistan so far, amassing 678 runs at an average of 52.15 and a strike rate of 100.29 with three hundreds and two half-centuries.

In T20Is, Kohli’s domination against Pakistan goes to a different level altogether. He has scored 488 runs in 10 games at an average of 81.33 and a strike rate of 123.85 with five fifties.

With India and Pakistan set to square off in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in New York on June 9, expectations will be on Kohli’s shoulders to deliver for the team once again.

Ahead of the marquee clash, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has played down Virat Kohli's threat despite calling him one of the best in business.

"As a team, you always plan against different teams and according to their strengths. We don't plan anything against only one player. We plan for all 11 players. We don't know much about the conditions in New York and we will plan accordingly. He [Virat Kohli] is one of the best players, and we will plan against him as well," Babar said at the press conference ahead of the Ireland tour.

Notably, Virat Kohli starred with the bat in India’s nail-biting victory over Pakistan in the 2022 edition of T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Chasing 160 to win, the Men in Blue were in dire straits at 31/4 after 6.1 overs. Amid the pressure situation, Kohli rose to the occasion as he smashed 82* off 53 balls and shared a 113-run stand with Hardik Pandya (40 off 37 balls) to script India’s four-wicket victory.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 06 May, 2024

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