‘Compare Babar with Kohli five years later’
It’s unfair to start comparing both, ex-Pakistan skipper Younis Khan says
Ask any cricket aficionado as to which batsman has the best cover drive in the game today — and chances are you will come across the following names in common: Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Babar Azam. The last-named, who has been appointed Pakistan captain in the 50-over game as well last week, has been easily one of the best things to have happened to Pakistan cricket in the last five years.
“He [Babar] has emerged over the last year or so into something that is going to be so special. We talked about how Virat Kohli is so good on the eye as a batsman. If you think Virat Kohli is good to watch, have a look at Babar Azam bat. My gosh, he is something special,” Tom Moody, former Australian player and now a reputed coach for T20 franchises, said in a podcast last week.
This is where Younis Khan, former Pakistan captain and the country’s highest run-getter in Tests, has a word of caution. Speaking to Gulf News during a telephone interview from Karachi, Younis felt any comparison between Kohli and Azam may get the eyeballs but is unfair on the latter at this stage. “You see, Kohli — who is now 31 and at the peak of his career — has been in international cricket for over a decade now and has proved himself in all conditions.
‘‘Babar, on the other hand, has made his international debut barely five years back. He already has 16 centuries under his belt and shows very good averages in both Tests and ODIs, but it will be unfair to start comparing the two right now. If you have to, compare Babar five years hence with the dominance that Kohli is showing in his game today,’’ said Younis, easily one of the all-time greats among Pakistan batsmen.