I want to be compared with Pakistan legends, not Virat Kohli – Babar Azam

Pakistan’s limited-over captain Babar Azam has stated that if he is to be compared with different players, then he would be happy if he is likened with Pakistan legends like Javed Miandad, Younis Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq. Azam is often compared with Indian captain Virat Kohli but the former doesn’t want to be compared with Kohli.

Meanwhile, some of the Pakistan cricket boffins like Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf feel that comparing Virat Kohli and Babar Azam is not fair as the former has played more than twice than the latter. Kohli had made his debut back in 2008 whereas Azam had announced himself at the big stage in 2015. Kohli is more experienced than Azam and has achieved great success in his illustrious career.

Babar Azam is currently the number one batsman in the T20I format whereas Kohli is the number one in ODI and occupies the second place in Test rankings. Kohli has been a consistent performer for the Indian team while Azam has also shown great skills to go a long way in his career.

“If you want to compare me with someone, I would like to be compared to Pakistan’s players, instead of Virat Kohli. We have had legends like Javed Miandad, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq. If you compare me to these legends, I will like it more and feel proud of my accomplishments,” Azam told reporters in a teleconference.

The 25-year old stylish batsman from Pakistan has scored 3359 runs in 74 ODI matches at an impressive average of 54.17. On the other side, Kohli has an immaculate record in the 50-overs version as the talisman has scored 11867 runs in 248 matches at a staggering average of 59.33.

In fact, Babar has even leapfrogged Kohli in some of the records. Azam had completed 1000, 2000 and 3000 ODI runs in 21, 45 and 68 innings respectively. On the other hand, Kohli was able to achieve the same feat in 24, 53 and 78 innings respectively.

On the other hand, Babar Azam is currently preparing for the England series with his teammates at Worcestershire. The stylish right-hander will like to be at his best in the English conditions. The flamboyant batsman has played only one Test match in the English conditions in which he scored 68 runs.

There is no doubt that Azam is going to hold the key to Pakistan’s batting unit and the visitors would want their talisman to be at the top of his game. Pakistan will play three Test matches and as many T20Is against England.