Babar Azam plays down comparisons with Virat Kohli

With consistent performances across three formats, the 25-year-old Azam has been steadily rising up the ranks in recent years.

Babar Azam has played down comparisons with Team India captain Virat Kohli.

Pakistan’s top batsman Babar Azam on Monday played down comparisons with Indian run machine Virat Kohli, saying it is not wise to do so as both are “different” kind of players.

“I think it’s better if you are not comparing. I have said that he is a different kind of a player, and I am a different player,” Azam said a during a press conference. “I am only striving to bat well and help my team to victory every time I take to the field.”

With consistent performances across three formats, the 25-year-old Azam has been steadily rising up the ranks in recent years, while the Indian captain Kohli has already established himself as one of the greats of the game.

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Asked about the possibility of playing cricket behind closed doors in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Azam said they are already used to it having played most of their homes series in near-empty stands in grounds in the United Arab Emirates for more than 10 years.

“We know better than other teams how it feels to play without crowd having played most of our cricket in Dubai in last 10 years.

“It’s not a great feeling for fans and it’s not great for us also.”

No Test nation has toured Pakistan for more than 10 years since the 2008 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

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The coronavirus pandemic has led to either cancellation or postponement of all sports events and there is a cloud of uncertainty over the Twenty20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in October-November in Australia.

“Regarding the T20 World Cup, I am sure the ICC (International Cricket Council) will take everything into consideration before taking a decision, and the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) said it will go ahead with the series in England later this summer only when they are 110 percent sure,” Azam said.

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Last week, the star batsman took over the reins of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket after being appointed as One-Day International skipper. Azam, who was already Pakistan’s T20 skipper, replaced wicketkeeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed as ODI captain for the 2020-21 season.