Babar Azam’s Comparison With Virat Kohli Dismissed By Ex-Pakistan Wicket-keeper

The former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal reckons that there is no comparison between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. He keeps the Indian veteran batter in a different league of his own.

Of late, fans across the border have often drawn parallels between the two players, placing them in the same department. The social media debates have always been around who, between these two batters, carries the better cover drive.

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam’s ODI comparison

The former Indian captain, Virat Kohli, has smashed 13963 runs in 297 ODIs at an average of 57.94 and a strike rate of 93.53, shouldering on 50 centuries and 73 half-centuries at the best score of 183. Against Pakistan, the right-handed batter finds a different rhythm and has grabbed 678 runs in 16 innings at an ODI average of just over 52.

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Babar Azam, on the other hand, has cracked 6019 runs in 123 ODI innings at an average of 55.73 and a strike rate of 88.15, thanks to 19 centuries and 34 half-centuries at the best score of 158. He, however, doesn’t love the contests against the blue brigade, with just 218 runs in seven innings at an average of 31.14.

The last few years have been quite contrasting for both Kohli and Babar in the 50-over format, where the former has struggled in the last five ODI innings at an average of around 23, besides cracking 1377 runs in 24 innings at an average of 72.47, thanks to six centuries and eight half-centuries in 2023.

The Karachi-born finds the recent tri-series hard, with 62 runs in three innings at an average of 20.67. Last year, Babar Azam drilled 228 runs in six innings at 57, while 1065 runs came off his blade in 24 innings in 2023 at an average of 46.30.

“There is no comparison between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam”- Kamran Akmal

The former wicket-keeper batter of Pakistan, Kamran Akmal, has eliminated the comparison between Kohli and Babar Azam. He highlighted that the Delhi-born has played with passion for a long time and has set a higher benchmark.

“Bewakoof log hai (people who rate Babar Azam similar to Virat Kohli are foolish). Virat Kohli is such a big player. He has been a role model globally. He has played with so much passion. Such players are hard to come by. He has set such a high benchmark. There is no comparison between the two.” Akmal expressed this during a recent interaction in Hindustan Times.

The wicket-keeper batter is confident in Babar regaining his form for the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19 against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.

“Virat is such a big player, but in the last few years, he has also been struggling for runs. He has just 3 Test tons in the last five years. Babar Azam is also going through a lean run.” The Lahore-born addressed.

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“He just needs to follow the process. The entire country is waiting for his 20th ODI ton. Maybe he gets back among the runs in the Champions Trophy. We want him to score at least 30-35 ODI centuries.” He concluded.

Babar Azam fights to return in form for the Champions Trophy 2025

With Saim Ayub’s last-minute injury, Pakistan didn’t have a chance to look out for a different opener in the side. So, the management decided to go with Babar at the opening position, where the right-handed batter has struggled in ODIs.

Azam has clubbed just 88 runs in five ODI innings at an average of 17.60 and a strike rate of 78.57 as an opener. But he will look to develop these numbers during the upcoming eight-team event.