Aussie World Cup winning captain calls Babar Azam the ‘Virat Kohli’ of Pakistan

Pakistan top order batsman Babar Azam may not be the flashiest of cricketers, but his ability to churn out runs anywhere in the world makes him one of the best limited-over batsman in the world, allowing him to draw praise from the likes of former Australian captain Michael Clarke.

Clarke, under whose leadership Aussies won the last World Cup, has termed Azam as the 'Virat Kohli' of his country's batting line-up. “Babar Azam is real class no doubt about that. For me, he’s the Virat Kohli of Pakistan’s line-up. If Pakistan want to qualify for the semi-finals or final, a lot will depend on his young shoulders,” Clarke said during commentary.

Azam has been in a top form for Pakistan, enjoying a successful tour of England, Azam hit 112 of 108 deliveries against Afghanistan, for his side in the first World Cup warm-up match.

Earlier, the top order batsman dismissed allegations of playing for himself rather than the team, as he said that he bats according to the team’s plan. “I play according to the team’s plan, and the fact is that I do not play for myself this is not my team but the team of Pakistan,” said Azam, at the post match presentation. “Coming to the match, my intention was not to play for myself, as the team was losing wickets my job was to build a partnership and not to throw my wicket as well,” he added.