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Pakistan legend Zaheer Abbas weighed in with his take on the long standing comparisons between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam in the cricketing circles on the sidelines of the Cricket Predicta Conclave in Ajman, the UAE. The 77-year-old was quite categoric in his opinion that comparing Indian superstar Virat Kohli with Pakistan batter Babar Azam is “pointless,” since the latter doesn’t score as much as his Indian counterpart.
During his 16-year international career, Zaheer Abbas was one of the most prolific run scorers in his 78 Test and 62 ODI appearances in Pakistan colours, finding his name among the greatest batters of his generation. At one point in his career at the international level, the right-handed batter smashed five hundreds in five innings in Test and ODI formats combined, to hold the unique record along with Everton Weekes of West Indies.
These comparisons are pointless: Zaheer Abbas on Virat Kohli-Babar Azam debate
While speaking to PTI on the sidelines of the Cricket Predicta Conclave in Ajman, the UAE, Zaheer Abbas shared his comment on Virat Kohli and Babar Azam comparisons. He was quoted as saying, “Yeh fizool ki baatein hai (the comparisons are pointless). Virat Kohli scores in every match the other player (Babar) doesn't score in any match so then how can you compare. The person who scores, he is the bigger player.”
Zaheer Abbas was quite appreciative of the Indian cricket team’s performances in recent years in all formats of the game, talking about the quality of the batters and bowlers at their disposal. He said, “Indian team overall is very good. Their batters are doing well and the bowlers both are good. It is a very balanced team, one that plays soch samajh kar (thoughtfully).”
The Pakistan cricketing legend also praised Rohit Sharma for his captaincy in recent years, which saw him lead India to their first ICC title in more than a decade. Zaheer Abbas remarked, “They have a very good captain who understands cricket very well. When everything is going in your favour, it is smooth sailing, and that's the case with India right now.”
