"Virat Kohli and I are different people so no point comparing us" : Babar Azam

[saeed5646]

Babar Azam speaking to media:

"I am working on my bowling as well and will show my skills if an opportunity arises"

In reply to comparison with Kohli and whether Babar can be more effective then Kohli : "Virat Kohli and I are different people (so no point comparing; My focus is on playing the best I can for Pakistan"

"When I get to 70s etc, the run rate pressure gets to me and I can lose my wicket but that's part of the game"

"I give my hundred percent in whatever situation I am presented with"

"Have enjoyed all my hundreds and especially the one that was the third in the record breaking run"

"Mitchell Starc was the best bowler I have faced; I faced him when I was playing for Pakistan A but he was a different proposition when I faced him in international cricket"

"Having a batting coach is very useful as he is always there to help if I have a problem"

"We are working together and gelling well to try and improve our team ranking"

"We are working very hard on improving our strike-rate and that is what we practised today"

"I am working very hard on fitness as that is crucial in today's game"

 

[saeed5646]

Good sensible reply from babar

 

[Slog]

Pakistan cricket really needs to get over its obsession with King Kohli

 

[ask_analyse_act]

why people continuously compare players with kohli... Let him enjoy playing for Pakistan and deliver as much as he can... he is surely one for the future, his focus is to make more centuries and make it a habit which will give him loads of confidence.....I'm looking forward for his performance in CT'17 and CWC'19, hope he delivers to his potential and make it big for his team...

 

[ExpressPacer]

Pakistan cricket really needs to get over its obsession with King Kohli

They need to but the fact is, everyone around the world is obsessed with Kohli. And understandably so, he's the best player in the world at the moment and also the most marketable one. Everyone wants to be compared to him.

 

[Syed1]

The journalist asked him the question about Kohli. What should he have done, acted like he was deaf and dumb?

 

[Amirforpresident]

The journalist asked him the question about Kohli. What should he have done, acted like he was deaf and dumb?

'next question please'

 

[zn426]

He said exactly the right thing. He's not Kohli, he's babar.
Perhaps he could have said "Virat Kohli is a very good batsman and I admire his skills", but he didn't need to say more than that.

 

[GreenMasterz007]

He is missing that aggressiveness and power ...

 

[Pakistani Pace]

Why is he even being compared with Virat? Just putting more pressure on the guy. He's already our best batsman so let's leave it as that.

 

[Rayyman]

Good to see him working on his bowling. This will allow the TTFs- Malik and Hafeez to get exposed.

Hope he doesn't take too much time out of his batting though.

 

[MenInG]

Heard him talk and PCB really need to coach these kids. Unable to articulate himself.

 

[Sherlock]

Heard him talk and PCB really need to coach these kids. Unable to articulate himself.

It's difficult to do that when they, themselves, can't articulate statements/replies.

 

[Syed1]

Heard him talk and PCB really need to coach these kids. Unable to articulate himself.

He probably doesn't have alot of experience of facing the media. Will only get better with time.

But yes you are right, PCB needs to coach our cricketers to be better off-the-field as well.

 

[StreetSmart]

Pakistan cricket really needs to get over its obsession with King Kohli

Probably he was replying to his cousin`s irrelevant comparison

 

[StreetSmart]

The journalist asked him the question about Kohli. What should he have done, acted like he was deaf and dumb?

Thanda sarkaar thanda PP should show everyone`s age too so our blood will not boil after reading comments.

On topic, he was asked probably because UA started this comparison thing once again and I think he replied responsibly and and I can see him as a better batsman in the current Pakistani team.

 

[Abdullah719]

Hopefully that's the end of the silly comparisons from the journos, there are many better things to ask about.

For example, where's the result of that bowling test?

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Probably the best under 24 in world cricket right now with De Kock.

 

[Hasan123]

He is right, he doesn't need to be compared with Virat .

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Sensible comments from a good player. Wish you good luck with his future.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Pakistan cricket really needs to get over its obsession with King Kohli

There are at least 6-7 better test batsmen going around. But in ODI (especially when chasing a target) guy is a beast

Since we are clueless when we chase a target, so the obsession

 

[khurram39]

Good point to make. Can't compare him with others let others to be compared with him.

 

[Pete Rose]

The easy answer there is virat is a great player and I am just starting my career. I do agree that starc was tough for him to face. The others managed quite well, till the last test.

 

[Hamza_]

The easy answer there is virat is a great player and I am just starting my career. I do agree that starc was tough for him to face. The others managed quite well, till the last test.

IMO he struggled against Hazlewood.

 

[Hawkeye]

This:

"When I get to 70s etc, the run rate pressure gets to me and I can lose my wicket but that's part of the game"

) ) )

A bit too blunt here?

Shehzad would have said: "What weakness are you talking about? I'm a great batsman, just look at my record - 100 in every friggin format you lowlife journalist!"

 

[rhnmirza]

The journalist asked him the question about Kohli. What should he have done, acted like he was deaf and dumb?

Savage!

 

[Bilal7]

His cousins don't seem to be a good influence on him. Akmal recently asked the media to compare Kohli and Babar. This guy is as complete a batsman a 23 year old can be and can become one of the best in the world if he keeps working hard and remains humble.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">there is no comparison. <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli">@imVkohli</a> is a great batsman and I am just a beginner. But I would like to be recalled as Babar Azam of Pakistan <a href="https://t.co/fqiF6ZKJ2J">https://t.co/fqiF6ZKJ2J</a></p>— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) <a href="https://twitter.com/babarazam258/status/894292780754882560">August 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Chrish]

It's impossible to emulate Kohli

He is right in not even trying.

 

[Proactive_]

It's impossible to emulate Kohli

He is right in not even trying.

Hardly impossible to emulate an average of 22 in 8 ODI Tournament Finals and an average of barely 50 in Tests though.. He should look towards better measuring sticks like Smith..

 

[Leo23]

Hardly impossible to emulate an average of 22 in 8 ODI Tournament Finals and an average of barely 50 in Tests though.. He should look towards better measuring sticks like Smith..

there are holes in every career if we focus on the negatives and ignore the positives

for example ponting was terrible in india but he still a legend and lara is considered the best player of spin but he was still rubbish in india

dravid too mostly struggled against top bowlers away from home

kohli is a top class player and if babar becomes 50 % the player kohli has become he will do a wonderful job for pak

 

[Chrish]

Hardly impossible to emulate an average of 22 in 8 ODI Tournament Finals and an average of barely 50 in Tests though.. He should look towards better measuring sticks like Smith..

Nah.. got it all wrong..

 

[Red Devil]

there are holes in every career if we focus on the negatives and ignore the positives

for example ponting was terrible in india but he still a legend and lara is considered the best player of spin but he was still rubbish in india

dravid too mostly struggled against top bowlers away from home

kohli is a top class player and if babar becomes 50 % the player kohli has become he will do a wonderful job for pak

50% of Kohli would mean average around 25 in all formats. That would hardly be a wonderful job.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

He should look towards better measuring sticks like Smith..

Agree with this.
An avg of 60 in tests scoring important runs in tough tours and playing a major part in world cup victory by playing calm & clutch innings in quarter, semi and final of world cup.

This Babar is the best player in world right now! But I understand its hard to reach that level.

 

[joly]

Kohli has lost 60% of fans in India, he is no more the benchmark, waiting for Pant to take over

 

[Sachin136]

Kohli has lost 60% of fans in India, he is no more the benchmark, waiting for Pant to take over

Hoping this is sarcasm?

 

[Suleiman]

He's a good kid and clearly PCB have invested the greatest amount of resources in him more than anyone. Now it's his chance to pay it back, and he needs to develop a killer instinct because atm he is like Williamson in ODIs, scores a nice and tidy 50+ with little impact.

After so much investment you expect something big from him.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

He's a good kid and clearly PCB have invested the greatest amount of resources in him more than anyone. Now it's his chance to pay it back, and he needs to develop a killer instinct because atm he is like Williamson in ODIs, scores a nice and tidy 50+ with little impact.

After so much investment you expect something big from him.

You expect that when he's 26-27, not at this stage.

 

[Suleiman]

You expect that when he's 26-27, not at this stage.

Well duh. But PCB isn't one to give ropes as long as that, so for his own sake and development I hope he gets there sooner rather than later.

 

[mak36]

there are holes in every career if we focus on the negatives and ignore the positives

for example ponting was terrible in india but he still a legend and lara is considered the best player of spin but he was still rubbish in india

dravid too mostly struggled against top bowlers away from home

kohli is a top class player and if babar becomes 50 % the player kohli has become he will do a wonderful job for pak

Babar is 22. Kohli is 28. Why set Babar such a low measure of success (ie to become 50% of the player Kohli is)?

Babar can only get better and better- especially with Mickey in charge who has a good reputation for developing young talent.

Anyway as others have said Smith is a better yardstick, especially in tests.

 

[Markhor]

A better comparison would be with Kusal Mendis.

 

[Pollack]

And here I thought Babar and kohli are two jersey but one person.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Will most likely be a better captain than flop Kohli.

 

[Justcrazy]

kohli is a top class player and if babar becomes 50 % the player kohli has become he will do a wonderful job for pak

he already is probably 75 % of Kohli , he has to take his game his game to next level , if he wants to make it 90 % , last 10 % will be third level

 

[mak36]

he already is probably 75 % of Kohli , he has to take his game his game to next level , if he wants to make it 90 % , last 10 % will be third level

Why should Kohli be his ceiling? Babar is six years younger than Kohli- his best is yet to come.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Babar and Kohli are very different. IMO Babar is more similar to H Amla very dependable and run machine for his team. Like Amla, Babar will score bulk of a run with healthy strike rate. However, he may not be ur man if team wants to score 10-15 an over or chase big total. He will anchor the innings but will struggle to slog which is why he is pretty ok in t20s. Thats one area of his batting he can work on. But overall a solid batsman.