'Same technique and style but poor finishing'; Pak cricket star responds to comparison with Kohli

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket star Babar Azam was seemingly unimpressed with a journalist who made a comparison of his batting style with Indian star Virat Kohli. The journalist asked Babar about his poor finishing in matches despite having the same techniques and batting style as Virat Kohli.

Babar faced the question after the match against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Pakistan Super League.

Chasing a target of 146 runs set by Hyderabad Kingsmen, Babar scored 43 runs off 37 balls for Peshawar Zalmi. Despite getting off to a good start, the player was dismissed and could not be at the crease till the victory. Zalmi won the match with a last-ball victory.

Journalist: Virat Kohli plays just like you, but he finishes matches. You seem to lack that quality. What do you have to say about fans comparing you to Kohli?

Babar: I would ask you to stop this comparison. Keep all such comparisons to yourself. I have finished many matches in my career, and all of these are your misconceptions.

The former world number one, Babar’s strike rate and shortcomings in chasing runs in the Twenty20 format have been widely criticised.

Babar has scored 82 runs in the two matches he has played in the PSL so far. He has hit only 10 fours and one six in the two matches.