NZ vs PAK: Babar Azam can be as good as Virat Kohli, says Grant Flower

The Pakistan batsman can “get to the top” like Kohli, according to the batting coach.

Pakistan’s Babar Azam is often compared to India captain Virat Kohli. They have a similar approach towards the game, and have an aggressive style of batting.

Grant Flower, Pakistan’s batting coach, feels Babar has enough potential to match Kohli. “I have seen him get quite a few hundreds on pretty flat wickets, but this was a tough wicket — it was turning,” Flower said, explaining the significance of Babar’s unbeaten century against New Zealand on Wednesday.

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“He is very special. I believe he is going to be one of the best that Pakistan have ever produced. He’s really hungry, is fit and still very young. He will have a really good career if he keeps his feet on the ground, which I think he will,” Flower said.

“He’s got Virat’s hunger. I think he could be at some point in the future. So, if you practice as hard as he does, and you have his skills, I can’t see why he can’t get to the top,” Flower, a former Zimbabwe batsman, said.

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Flower also revealed that Babar was down with flu before the game against New Zealand. But he brushed that aside to take centre stage. “He’s had flu over the last couple of days. Tuesday was the first time I’ve not seen him hit any balls the day before a match,” Flower said. “Confidence-wise, this is definitely his best [century].”