Pakistan batting sensation Babar Azam feels that the comparisons with Indian captain Virat Kohli are flattering but he still has a long way to go before being counted in the same breathe as the neighbouring star.
Azam's superb form since he made his debut in 2015, has taken the world by a storm, catapulting the young batsman to No. 1 in the ICC T20I rankings, 18th in Tests and 5th in ODIs, inviting comparisons with Kohli. However, Azam accepted that the latter's consistency and mindset over the years are what he would like to emulate.
“It’s flattering to be compared to Kohli. He is very consistent and his mindset is very good. He gives his 100 per cent every time he walks out to bat. I am at the start of my career, so the aim is to be like him and contribute to Pakistan’s success,” Babar told thenews.com.pk.
Reflecting on his upbringing and the hard work that has made what he is today, the right-hander said that his father had a big role to play in his career.
“I was attracted to cricket at a very young age. My father’s elder brother Akram Siddiq saw the passion for cricket in me, so he pushed me and then another uncle — father of Kamran, Umar and Adnan Akmal — advised my father to work hard on me as he thought that I will make it big in cricket,” recalled Babar.
Though a fluent player across all formats, Babar asserted that he holds Test cricket in high regard and wants to get 'better and better' at it.
“I keep learning from my mistakes and take advice from my seniors Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq because I want to be better and better in Test cricket. The aim is to be the best for Pakistan across all formats,” Babar signed off.
