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“Huge difference…”: Azam Khan compares ex-Pakistan captain Babar Azam with Virat Kohli

Aakash Saini

Babar Azam with Virat Kohli; Azam Khan [Source: @TsMeSalman, @GreenTeam1992/x]Babar Azam with Virat Kohli; Azam Khan [Source: @TsMeSalman, @GreenTeam1992/x]

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has made a bold comparison between Babar Azam and legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli. The out-of-favor cricketer believes that both Babar and Virat have re-defined the art of batsmanship in the modern-day game.

Azam Khan also agreed to a certain controversial statement made by Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav back during the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup in the UAE.

Azam Khan claims Virat Kohli had one advantage over Babar Azam

While speaking on the Cricwick podcast, Pakistan T20I reject and wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan praised modern-day icon Babar Azam, claiming that the latter has played a huge role in popularizing batting in a fast bowling-fanatic nation like Pakistan. He also compared him with legendary Indian cricketer Virat Kohli.

Azam Khan said:

“Pakistan cricket was famous because of fast bowling. But this guy made it famous because of batting. There is a huge difference. Like what Virat Kohli did for India.”

Azam Khan also believes that Virat Kohli had an advantage of playing around several senior Indian batters back when he started out playing for Team India, unlike Babar Azam. He said:

“Virat Kohli had someone around him who was a legend at that time. The era Virat Kohli started playing in, he had VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, (Rahul) Dravid, Virender Sehwag and MS Dhoni. So many big batsmen. But who was there with Babar? There was no one.”

When asked if Pakistan fans truly appreciate the efforts and contributions of Babar Azam towards Pakistan cricket, he responded:

“No, they don’t.”

Azam Khan also echoed the controversial statement Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav made during the 2025 Asia Cup, when he said that there is currently no competition between India and Pakistan teams. Azam Khan stated:

“If you see the ICC tournaments, I think... I don’t know if I should say this, but technically he is correct.”

Azam Khan has played 14 T20Is for Pakistan. However, he was dropped from the national side following their disastrous run at the 2024 T20 World Cup last year.