Younis Khan Gives His View On Comparison Between Virat Kohli And Babar Azam
Jun 11, 2020 at 7:03 PM
While the Indian captain Virat Kohli is known for his consistency in batting in every format, Pakistan limited-overs captain Babar Azam is also maintaining the same reputation. While many people are comparing them, the former Pakistan captain Younis Khan, who just has been appointed as the batting coach of the Pakistan team for the upcoming England tour, doesn’t like these kinds of comparisons.
After the international debut in 2008, Virat Kohli has gradually developed his batting skills, and he has now maintained the incredible consistency in his batting for a long time. He has played 86 Tests, 248 ODIs and 82 T20Is where the right-handed batsman has scored 7240 runs (average 53.62), 11867 runs (average 59.33) and 2794 runs (average 50.80) respectively.
At present, the 31-year-old Kohli is the No.1-ranked ODI batsman, No.2-ranked Test batsman and No.10-ranked T20I batsman.
On the other hand, after making his international debut in 2015, the 25-year-old Babar Azam has played 26 Tests, 74 ODIs and 38 T20Is where the right-handed batsman has scored 1850 runs (average 45.12), 3359 runs (average 54.17) and 1471 runs (average 50.72) respectively.
Just like Kohli, Babar is also dominating in the ICC batting rankings as he is the No.1-ranked T20I batsman, No. 3-ranked ODI batsman and No. 5-ranked Test batsman.
While both have maintained the incredible consistency in batting in every format, Younis Khan still feels that it is not the right discussion to compare between Kohli and Babar as Kohli has maintained his incredible batting form for a long-time. At the same time, Babar is not a high-experienced player yet.
Younis said according to PTI, “I don’t like these comparisons. Look at Kohli he is at the top of his game right now. He is without any doubt the top batsman today and has performed in all formats.”
I would say after four-five years if we make comparisons that would be more suitable: Younis Khan about comparing Babar Azam with Virat Kohli
Younis has further added that Babar will have to maintain this form for more time to reach in the comparison level of Kohli.
The former Pakistan T20 World Cup-winning captain added, “Babar has also performed in all formats in recent times but the way I look at it, where Kohli is today, what he has achieved until now, Babar will be there in five years time. I would say after four-five years if we make comparisons that would be more suitable.”
However, Younis also believes not to create a lot of high expectations from Babar. Rather than, he wants to give him enough space and time.
The present Pakistan batting coach continued, “But I don’t think we should create so many expectations around him. We need to give him space and time if he is to go ahead and match greats like Sachin Tendulkar or Javed Miandad.”
Younis Khan also lauded Babar, and he wants to see him in the legendary list.
Younis claimed, “I would love to see Babar achieve many more great things and become a legend. I want to see him surpass me and my records.”
During this talk with the reporters, Younis Khan also clarified that his present contract as a batting coach for the Pakistan men’s national cricket team is only for the upcoming England tour.
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