Former Pakistan cricketer and team manager Mohammad Hafeez downplayed Babar Azam when asked about his comparison with star Indian batsman Virat Kohli.
Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli has been a huge topic for the last 3-4 years. Their fans on social media often argue among themselves about who is the better batsman of the two. Some claim that Babar has a better impact than Kohli for his national team, while others express his resemblance to the former Indian captain.
There is another argument about textbook cricket strokes. Babar Azam’s fans claim that his coverage looks easier on the eyes, while Virat Kohli fans claim that Babar’s coverage is nowhere near Kohli’s level. Another fairly widespread argument is: who is the best T20 player?
Both are often criticized for their slow approach in the shortest format of the sport, but fans of Babar Azam and Virat Kohli feel their idol is better. In terms of statistics, it is a fact that Kohli is way ahead of Babar, who made his senior debut for Pakistan 6-7 years after Kohli won his first cap for India in ODIs.
Babar Azam and Virat Kohli have also been part of some impressive Indo-Pak contests in the ICC and ACC tournaments. Babar was part of the Pakistan team that defeated the Indian team in the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy under Kohli’s captaincy.
Then, during the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, Babar tasted his first victory against Kohli’s India as Pakistan captain. In that match, Babar and Rizwan paired up to beat the Indians by 10 runs.
Then, in the 2022 World T20 edition, Babar saw Virat Kohli single-handedly help India prevail over the Green Army during a group stage match.
What did Mohammad Hafeez say about Babar and Kohli comparisons?
While talking to a local Pakistani journalist, Mohammad Hafeez stated that there is no comparison between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. Hafeez explained that Kohli’s contribution to the Indian team has been enormous and he is a class apart. He also claimed that Babar has done equally well with the Pakistan team over the years.
Mohammad Hafeez, who was sacked from the team manager’s post earlier this year, stated that Babar Azam is an important player for the nation. But one thing Hafeez doesn’t like is the idea that Babar should be able to do everything on his own for the team.
“There is no comparison. Both are very good players. Virat Kohli’s services and performances for the Indian team are huge and fabulous. Babar, on the other hand, is also doing well for the Pakistan team. But getting into that zone and comparing them is something I really don’t like to do.”
“Babar is a fantastic player. He has given many fantastic performances for Pakistan over the years, he can help them win. This criticism is absolutely wrong that Babar has to do everything alone. But it is a fact that Babar needs to improve his game and he should improve his skills according to modern cricket, so I think Babar is learning very fast.” – Hafeez told a local Pakistani journalist.
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“There is no comparison between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli”: Mohammad Hafeez pic.twitter.com/bjmdgIQtLD
– Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) April 26, 2024