Pakistan captain Babar Azam responds to Virat Kohli's praise, shows mutual respect

Babar Azam will face-off Virat Kohli in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 clash on Saturday.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam played a magnificent knock against Nepal in Asia Cup 2023 opener at Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan. Babar Azam smashed 151 runs in 131 balls, smashing 14 fours and four sixes in his innings. Pakistan’s captain got a lot of praise from former Indian captain Virat Kohli just before the start of Asia Cup 2023. Virat Kohli claimed that Babar Azam is probably the best batter in the world across formats. Babar felt elated after getting a huge compliment from Virat Kohli. Mutual respect from both sides has put the fan wars at rest for some time now.

Babar Azam responds to Virat Kohli

Babar Azam, while responding to Virat Kohli’s comment, said that he felt good after getting praise from him. Babar said, “It feels really good. When someone talks about you like this. And what Kohli has said has made me very proud and happy. Such praise gives you confidence. When I met him in 2019, he was at his peak. He is still at his peak. I wanted to do something with his game. I learned a lot from him. He gave a detailed explanation of all my questions. That helped me. When you do such things for each other, it feels really good.”

Earlier, before the start of the tournament, Virat said that he looked at him as one of the top batters in world cricket. He said, “I saw a lot of regard and respect from him from day one, and that hasn’t changed. Regardless of the fact that he’s probably the top batter in the world across formats, he’s performing so consistently and rightly so. He has amazing talent, and I have always enjoyed watching him play. Babar’s attitude hasn’t changed because he is performing now and coming into his own. I don’t see his attitude or approach changing towards me.” 

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are set to take on each other once again in the one-day international format after four years. Last time these two met against each other in Manchester, Babar Azam scored 48 runs. He was bamboozled by Kuldeep Yadav. Former Indian captain Virat Kohli smashed 77 runs in 65 balls to help India put up a 337-runs target against Pakistan in World Cup league round of 2019. India will take on Pakistan on September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

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