IND vs PAK: 'The day he plays in Lahore, Karachi...' - Azhar Ali claims Virat Kohli's craze in Pakistan surpasses Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has opened up on the popularity and craze for Virat Kohli in Pakistan. The Indian batting superstar is yet to play a single game for the Indian team on Pakistani soil but has immense popularity in the country.

He did play an Under-19 game for India in Pakistan way back in 2006 but has not visited the neighbors since then. He made his debut for India in 2008 and just a few weeks later, India stopped its cricketing ties with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. However, it has not stopped him from becoming one of the most if not the most popular Indian cricketers in Pakistan.

Azhar Ali stated that the former India skipper is immensely popular among Pakistan fans. He also said that the Pakistan fans won't be shying away from displaying Kohli's name on the back of their jerseys if the India star ever plays a game on Pakistani soil. Azhar Ali also said that even he was praying for Kohli to regain his form when he was struggling for runs a couple of years ago.

"The day Virat plays in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi or in Multan, only then you guys will understand his craze in Pakistan," Azhar Ali told The Indian Express.

"You won’t believe but the stadium will be filled with green jerseys, magar peeche naam Babar ya Shaheen ka nahi, Virat ka hoga aur No 18 ke saath (but the name on the backs won’t be Babar Azam or Shaheen Shah Afridi, it will Virat Kohli’s along with his jersey No 18).

"When he was out of form, I prayed so many times for him. Allah isko aaj run banane do (Please god let him score). I have prayed for Kohli. I don’t know why but I did consistently for three years.

"You will find people, who will criticise Virat’s batting but before criticising him at least try and understand what he has done for over 15 years. There was a dip but he bounced back. I have not seen anyone doing that," he added.

Apart from his exceptional batting exploits, Kohli's gestures in the past have also played a key role in his popularity in Pakistan. In 2016, he had come up with a heartwarming gesture for Mohammad Amir by gifting him a bat. Later, he had also gifted a jersey to Shahid Afridi as a farewell gift.

It's a pleasure to have gifted something of importance and a lasting memory @<!---->S<!---->A<!---->f<!---->r<!---->i<!---->d<!---->i<!---->O<!---->f<!---->f<!---->i<!---->c<!---->i<!---->a<!---->l God bless you with everything in life See you 😊

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->2<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->7

Virat Kohli's record against Pakistan:

Virat Kohli will be facing Pakistan again on Sunday (June 9) when India and Pakistan lock horns in the 19th game of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The India star was out for just 1 run in the previous game against Ireland and would be looking to bounce back.

Kohli has a stunning record against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. He has played 5 games against the Men in Green in the World Cup so far and has scored 308 runs with the help of four half-centuries.