Asia Cup 2025- Babar Azam gets orders to stop his fans from comparing him to Virat Kohli

Former Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad has opened up about the ongoing comparisons between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. Shehzad also stated that Babar should never have been compared with Virat, adding that such comparisons create undue pressure on the former Pakistan skipper.

Babar Azam has struggled to score a century in 72 consecutive innings across three formats. He scored his last hundred in an ODI match against Nepal in August 2023. The former Pakistan captain was recently left out of the T20I squad. He was part of the recent three-match ODI series against the West Indies.

Don’t Compare Players - Ahmed Shehzad on Virat Kohli and Babar Azam Comparisons

Ahmed Shehzad stated that Virat Kohli is unmatched in stature in modern cricket, adding that even MS Dhoni cannot be matched with him as a batter and athlete. Shehzad said that players should not be unfairly measured against one another.

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“When everything was going well, you were running campaigns comparing players. Now that the performances are not coming, you are saying ‘don’t compare two players’. Why not?,” Shehzad said.

"Virat Kohli’s comparison cannot be made with anyone in the world. He is a legend of this generation, a role model. You cannot compare him even with MS Dhoni. Dhoni may have been a great captain, but as a batter, cricketer, and athlete, Kohli stands alone. No one should be compared with anyone because it’s unfair and it adds extra pressure, which we are now seeing on Babar Azam,” he added.

Babar Azam Endures Longest Century Drought Among Active International Cricketers

Babar Azam has been struggling with form in international cricket, without a century since his last hundred against Nepal in August 2023. Notably, it is the longest drought among active cricketers.

The right-handed batter managed scores of 47, 0, and 9 during the recently concluded three-ODI series against the West Indies, with fast bowler Jayden Seales troubling him and dismissing him twice in two matches.

Babar and Mohammad Rizwan are the only batters from full-member nations with a strike rate below 80 since 2024. He has also struggled in Test cricket, scoring just 590 runs in 25 innings at an average of 23.6 since 2023.

Pakistan Bowled Out for 92 in Third ODI as West Indies Clinch Series 2-1

Pakistan were dismissed for 92 runs in the third ODI against the West Indies in Trinidad. The home team recorded a 202-run victory and a 2-1 series win. Chasing 295, Babar Azam managed just nine runs.

Notably, five Pakistan batters, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali, and Abrar Ahmed, recorded ducks. Jayden Seales was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, taking six wickets for 18 runs in 7.2 overs, while Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase took two and one wicket, respectively.

The win was the West Indies’ first home bilateral ODI series triumph over Pakistan since 1988 and their first overall bilateral ODI series win against Pakistan since 1991.

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