The debate over who is the better batter between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam continues to spark discussions among cricket fans. Both batsmen are widely regarded as modern-day batting maestros, known for their elegant technique and consistent run-scoring abilities. Though Babar Azam hasn't yet reached the heights of Virat Kohli's international dominance, his immense talent suggests he has the potential to reach similar heights in the future. This was echoed by former Pakistan captain and Director of Cricket, Mohammad Hafeez, who recently shared his thoughts on the ongoing comparison.
"There is no comparison. Both are very good players. Virat Kohli's contribution and performances for Team India are mammoth and fabulous. Babar is doing well for Pakistan but he still has a long way to go to compare with Kohli," former PCB Director of Cricket said.
A veteran of the game, Virat Kohli boasts a stellar 16-year career filled with record-breaking achievements. In international cricket alone, he has amassed a staggering 26733 runs, studded with 80 centuries and 139 fifties, at an impressive average of 54.11 across 522 matches.
Kohli's dominance extends beyond international cricket. Currently, the 35-year-old leads the IPL 2024 Orange Cap race for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He has amassed a phenomenal 430 runs in just 9 matches, including a century and three well-converted fifties. His current average sits at a remarkable 61.43, with a strike rate of 145.76, showcasing his consistent and aggressive batting style.
Right ahead of the Pakistan's fifth T20I against New Zealand, Mohammad Hafeez, the former Director of Cricket for Pakistan, weighed in on the criticism Babar Azam has faced. Hafeez acknowledged that while expecting a lot from a star player isn't unreasonable, the current level of criticism directed at Babar might be excessive. He also emphasised that Babar's focus should be on adapting his skillset to the evolving demands of modern cricket.
"Babar is fabulous player but criticism that he actively faces is unfair as one cannot expect to do everything for the team. However, he needs adapt to certain skills that are required in modern-era cricket as the game continues to evolve quickly." Hafeez concluded.
After Pakistan's underwhelming performance at the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Babar Azam relinquished his captaincy across all formats. However, with the T20 World Cup 2024 approaching, the 29-year-old batsman was reinstated as leader for the white-ball teams (ODIs and T20Is). Their recent four-match T20I series against New Zealand saw Azam at the helm, but unfortunately, Pakistan fell short, losing the series 2-1.
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