Babar Azam addresses Virat Kohli’s Comparison as the discussion intensifies in the lead-up to the Asia Cup 2025. For months, fans have been comparing Pakistan’s skipper to India’s star. However, former players believe this constant comparison is unfair.
Former Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad recently stepped in. He urged fans to stop making such comparisons. In his view, no one can match Virat Kohli, not even legends like MS Dhoni. Therefore, Shehzad feels these remarks only add unnecessary pressure on Babar and hurt his confidence.
Moreover, Babar’s recent form has been a concern. He has gone 72 innings in all formats without a century. His most recent hundred was scored against Nepal in August 2023. As a result, he now holds the longest century drought among active cricketers.
In addition, his struggles continued during the West Indies series. He scored only 47, 0, and 9 in three ODIs. Consequently, Pakistan lost the series 2-1. In the final match, West Indies pacer Jayden Seales destroyed Pakistan’s batting lineup, bowling them out for just 92 runs.
Because of this, the comparisons with Kohli have become even more intense. Yet it is important to remember that Kohli himself once faced a similar slump. Between November 2019 and September 2022, he went 71 innings without a century. Nevertheless, he bounced back in style by scoring an unbeaten 122 in the 2022 Asia Cup, which reignited his career.
Similarly, Babar’s ODI drought has now reached 28 innings across nearly two years. During this time, he has scored 18 fifties but has failed to convert them into hundreds. His highest score is 81, and he has been dismissed for a duck several times. Experts suggest that technical flaws, mental fatigue, and frequent role changes have all played a role.
Looking ahead, the Asia Cup 2025 will run from September 9 to 28 in the UAE. India and Pakistan will clash in the group stage, putting Babar under the spotlight from the very start. However, this also gives him a golden opportunity. If he delivers a big innings, he could silence critics and turn his form around. In the end, if Babar really excels, fans might focus on his successes instead of always measuring him against Kohli.
In conclusion, Babar Azam addresses Virat Kohli’s Comparison with rising attention before the Asia Cup 2025. Ahmed Shehzad has a straightforward piece of advice: allow Babar to play freely, without the burden of unrealistic expectations. With the tournament fast approaching, the stage is set for him to write a powerful comeback story.
