Zaheer Abbas, Virat Kohli, Pakistan
Zaheer Abbas. (Credits - Geo Tv)

Former Pakistan cricketer Zaheer Abbas has showered praise on Steve Smith and Virat Kohli, the two legends of modern-day cricket. Smith and Virat have been two of the most iconic batsmen the world of cricket has ever seen. It is almost impossible to stop them, and every bowling line-up in the world fears to face them.

Both have had an impeccable record as batsmen and have been setting new milestones in every game that they play. They are a part of the fab-four in world cricket at the moment. It has led to comparisons being drawn between them on numerous occasions. In the last couple of years, Virat has emerged as the undisputed champion due to Smith’s ban after the Sandpapergate scandal. Still, Smith’s return has been magnificent, and he announced it in style during the 2019 Ashes.

Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Shoaib Akhtar
Getty

Now former Pakistan player Zaheer Abbas has differentiated between the two legendary batsmen and has implied that Steve Smith is the best in Tests, but Virat Kohli is the leader across all formats.

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Zaheer Abbas Draws Comparison Between Smith And Kohli

Zaheer Abbas also feels that due to the continuous process of evolution in the game of Cricket, comparing cricketers of different eras and terming a player an all-time great is thus not very fair.

“But yeah, Steve Smith is more consistent than Kohli in Test cricket. He scores in almost every series he plays. Even the other Australian — David Warner — has been doing well,” he said.

Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have been a constant target of comparison by the experts, fans and the media alike and Zaheer Abbas has now chipped in.

Zaheer Abbas, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar
Zaheer Abbas says Virat can break Sachin’s ODI record. Image Courtesy: Getty

“But as I said, a batsman needs to perform in all formats and in that sense, Kohli is more consistent in the other versions as well,” Abbas told The Telegraph.

“So from that perspective, I don’t think you can call anyone as an all-time great player. This kind of comparison is not fair. If you want to establish yourself as the top batsman in world cricket, you have to be consistent in all formats. That’s fundamental,” he added.

Virat Kohli Is Beyond A Machine: Zaheer Abbas

“Waise bhi bahut hi zyaada cricket khelte hai Indian team (In any case, the Indian team plays too much of cricket). A top player like Kohli too is a part of most of those matches, and he can’t get bored too because that’s his profession and has given him so much,” Abbas said.

“Just look at what Kohli has achieved over the years Also, he is not a machine. Even a machine sometimes mal-functions,” he added.

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (Source: Twitter)

“At this moment, there aren’t many who can parallel Kohli,” Abbas, who has led Pakistan in 14 Test matches, explained

“Babar has been the most consistent batsman for Pakistan, having performed in all formats. I just hope he keeps on scoring and scales bigger heights,” Zaheer Abbas concluded.

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