Babar Azam, currently on the 3rd spot on the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 rankings, said on Monday that he is "nowhere near" Virat Kohli, calling the captain of the Indian national team a “legend”.
“I try to play like Kohli and compete with him," said Azam, adding that at this stage, he could not be compared to the Indian batsman.
Previously, left arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir in a Twitter question-answer session with fans had has also praised the Indian cricketer, calling him "the best batsman in the world".
Azam, while speaking at a press conference following the second Pak vs West Indies T20I match in Karachi on Monday, called himself unfortunate for missing out on a century by three runs.
“There was no pressure on me and I was in coordination with Shoaib Malik but unfortunately missed a couple of balls and eventually, my century,” he regretted.
Pakistan has a 2-0 lead against West Indies so far in the ongoing three-match T20I series.
Calling West Indies a “world champion”, Azam said that Pakistan did not consider the team to be an easy target and fought hard to win. “We bowled well to put them under pressure."
Azam called Hussain Talat, who made his T20I debut for Pakistan in the West Indies series, a “class player”.
“I have been playing with him since the Under-19 matches and suggested to him not to take pressure”.
Azam also served as the captain of the Pakistan team at the 2012 Under-19 World Cup.
Comments (15) Closed
good gesture.....showing some maturity.
With this attitude and performance you will sure be in great players soon
Azam is a very good limited overs player.. same applies on Hussain Talat. Pakistan should keep same squad for one day as well. The real issue is the test side after Misbah and Younas. They should have kept Azhar as a test captain.
One can only wish he is not influenced by his cousins Akmal Brothers. In last match he tried to play for himself to make a century that should be discouraged by everyone.
No doubt Babar is a very good player .. and if he remained focused and humble.. I am sure he will create his own space in that league..
In my view, PSL has highlighted new young talent that need to be groomed properly through motivation, teaching them the art of cricket, how to handle pressure and avoid being big headed after a short fame, etc. I am sure, some will excel if they follow the rules and play cricket honestly and passionately.
What else can he say to remain afloat, get attention and stay in the limelight?
Sorry Baber please do not think about this, I am Pakistani and my observation are that you are not ODI or T20 you are far behind from Virat Kohli, even to think and dream, I am Karachi Kings fan my observation are that you are main player due you Ki ngs lost bcs you are tuk tuk tuk this way Kings lost, you can make 300 runs 100 sixs with this third class west indies team, you should not play in T20 and ODI.
By saying that you have shown a great maturity.. Also, you can never be Virat Kohli.. Because you Babar Azam. Create your own identity, don't follow someone else's. All the best bro for your future.. Love from India.
So humble. Certainly will go very high in international cricket in years to come.
great, Never compare yourself to any great batsman instead say i am learning from them , this attitude will surely take you to the top. Virat Kohli is nowhere to be compared to any at the moment. he is the best
There is no comparison. Virat Kohli wins matches with his batting moreover he scores overseas, whereas Baber Azam scores against weak opposition at home ground. Baber slow batting was the reason for Karachi exit from PSL.
@Abhishek virat kohli is probably no 1 batsman in 50 overs and test cricket. Also a top sportsman and fantastic ambassador...
He actually must be apologising to himself for this comparison with Kohli
If Virat had played alongside Sacin in his prime, no one would be talking about Sacin,