Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody said that Pakistan skipper Babar Azam reminds him more of the Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli in the way he reads and approaches his game. The Stalwarts of their respective nations will be up against each other in the Asia Cup 2023, starting on August 30.
Virat Kohli and Babar Azam have impressed everyone with their consistency in performing in all three formats of the game against high-quality opponents. Both batters have been exceptional performers for their teams since their debut in International Cricket.
Speaking on Star Sports, Tom Moody feels that Babar Azam has so much resemblance to Virat Kohli in going about things in International Cricket and believes that the Pakistan skipper understands the game well to win matches for the country at the highest level.
“I think absolutely he is. He does remind me very much of Virat Kohli, the way he goes about his business. He plays authentic cricket shots. He seems to understand, and read the game very well, which Kohli has done for over a decade,” Tom Moody said.
Babar Azam was the men’s player of the year as well as the men’s ODI player for 2022 for his consistent performance for the Men in Green in International Cricket. In addition, the Pakistan skipper also led the side to finals in the Asia Cup 2022 and the T20 World Cup 2022 and will look to continue his fine form in 2023.
They Both Can Have Equal Pressure On Them – Tom Moody
Tom Moody believes that Virat Kohli has been the best chaser in the game over the last decade or so and reckons that both players will have a lot of pressure to perform for the team in the Asia Cup 2023 and said that he is excited to watch both players in the continental event.
“He is a good chaser as well like Virat Kohli has proven to be over many, many years. So, there’s so much likeness between the two and I wouldn’t go as far as saying that Virat is going have a better Asia Cup than Babar Azam, but they both can have equal pressure on them and it’s gonna be a delight to watch them both bat because they are box office,” Tom Moody added.
Virat Kohli always backs himself in tough situations as he also possesses the skill to improvise when required, turning good deliveries into boundaries to chase down the total in all three formats of the game and can be crucial for India’s success in the Asia Cup 2023.