Compare me with Miandad not with Kohli: Babar Azam
Last updated on: 02 July,2020 08:58 pm
Babar Azam said he is targeting a triple hundred in the upcoming 3-Test series in England
LAHORE (Web Desk) – Pakistan s batting star and captain Babar Azam he wants to be compared with former batting greats of his own nation rather than India skipper Virat Kohli.
“I don’t want to be compared with Virat Kohli. It would be better if people compare me with one of the Pakistani legends like Javed Miandad, Mohammad Yousuf or Younis Khan,” Babar said while speaking to media from Worcestershire on Thursday.
The two modern-day greats are time and again pitted against each other, by fans and critics alike, for their impeccable playing styles and incredible consistency.
Over the last few years, Babar s performances across all formats of the game have led to fans and experts likening him to Kohli. However, the Pakistan batsman has often maintained that he and Kohli are different kinds of players .
While Babar is the No.1-ranked T20I batsman, Kohli is the No. 1 in ODI cricket. The 25-year-old averages over 50 in ODI and T20Is and a little over than 45 in Tests while not having played as much as his Indian counterpart.
Babar Azam, who has begun training in Worcestershire along with his Pakistan teammates, said he is targeting a triple hundred in the upcoming 3-Test series against England in the Old Blighty.
"When you score a century, you naturally want to go on and convert that into a double or a triple century. This is something I would like to do during the Test series," Babar said. "I like to play my natural game but my selection of shots depends on the conditions and bowlers."
Azam and his Pakistan teammates have already touched down in England for their much-anticipated series in August which includes three Tests and as many T20Is.
He echoed his Test skipper Azhar Ali s sentiments and stated their bowlers will be targetting the fragile top-order of the hosts. Ali had earlier said that England s batting order remains fragile at the top since Alastair Cook s retirement.
"We performed well on our previous tour of England which is why the players are eagerly looking forward to the series," he said. "We are currently focused on winning the Test series as that is our first goal on the tour.
"England have the home advantage but our bowlers will give tough time to their batsmen. We will target their fragile Test top-order.
"Mohammad Abbas is experienced while Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi have a lot of potential. We have high expectations from our bowlers," he added.