Pakistan Cricket Team skipper Babar Azam has said he feels proud to be compared with Virat Kohli and vows to maintain the level of consistency he has managed so far. Babar, who has had a stellar career so far, averages over 40 in all three formats of cricket.
The Pakistani batsman has gradually moved upwards and has already established himself as one of the best batsmen of this generation. He has become a very reliable top order batsman because of his consistency. This has drawn comparisons with Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
When people compare us, I don’t feel pressure – Babar Azam
Babar Azam dethroned Virat Kohli from the top of the ICC ODI Rankings in April. No one was able to pull off such a feat for the past 4 years. Although Babar says he doesn’t like being compared to anybody usually, he can certainly make an exception when it comes to comparisons with Kohli.
“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,” Babar Azam stated.
Babar Azam, who has a high score of 122 in T20I’s, mentioned his confidence level jumped after scoring three hundreds against West Indies.
“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 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.
“No one can be perfect, and you want to learn every day. I will try to maintain this. I have to remain focused and fit to maintain this level of consistency,” he concluded.
Babar Azam will next be seen in action for Karachi Kings in the PSL, which is scheduled to be held from Jun 9 to Jun 24.
