Babar Azam, at the helm of the Pakistani team, for the upcoming T20 WC asserts, “We will plan against him,” with a pointed reference to the Indian batter Virat Kohli. Babar Azam‘s strategic declaration intensifies anticipation for a showdown where every move will be scrutinized in the quest for victory.
Babar Azam is a world-class batsman for Pakistan. Azam currently holds the #1 ranking in ODI cricket and is ranked highly in both Test and T20 formats as well. Throughout his career, Babar Azam has piled up runs and broken numerous records including most runs for Pakistan in a World Cup and fastest batsman to several milestones in T20Is. He holds the record for the fastest batsman to reach 10,000 runs in all T20 cricket (including domestic leagues) and continues to pile on runs, recently scoring a brisk 69 off 44 balls against New Zealand.
Virat Kohli’s recent IPL form has been a topic of much debate. He hasn’t made a century yet, but he’s had some good scores, including a couple of fifties. But, he still needs to be more consistent. This form doesn’t diminish Kohli’s threat against Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup. His experience in high-pressure matches and legendary status make him a danger zone for any team. If he can translate his recent flashes of brilliance into consistent scores, he can be a major force for India.
King Kohli Against The Men In Green
Kohli has been exceptional in T20 World Cups, particularly against Pakistan, consistently troubling them. In the 10 T20Is he’s played against them, the 35-year-old has maintained an average of 81.33, scoring a total of 488 runs.
Memorable Innings: While every run counts, some innings leave an indelible mark. Kohli has produced several such gems against Pakistan. The unbeaten 82* he scored in the 2022 T20 World Cup is a prime example. Chasing a tricky target of 160, India found themselves in a precarious position at 31/4. However, Kohli took charge, stitching a crucial partnership and guiding his team to a thrilling victory. This knock is often hailed as one of the greatest T20I innings ever played.
Head-to-Head Advantage: Looking at the overall head-to-head record, Kohli enjoys a slight edge over Pakistan’s bowling attack in T20Is. He has amassed a total of 488 runs against them, showcasing his ability to dominate their bowlers across various conditions.
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam
Regarding the upcoming T20 World Cup, the battle between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam promises to be thrilling. Both batsmen are exceptional players, but their strengths lie in slightly different areas, making for a fascinating statistical comparison.
In T20 international matches like the World Cup, Kohli stands out for his batting average, scoring over 52 runs per inning on average. He’s really good at making big scores consistently. He’s also leading in terms of hitting fifties, showing he can build on his starts and play big innings for India.
However, Babar Azam shouldn’t be underestimated. His average is around 41, which is still quite good, and he’s a bit faster in scoring runs. This means he can hit the ball hard and fast, putting pressure on the bowlers. Plus, Babar has scored more centuries, showing he can make really big scores when it matters most.
Both Kohli and Babar are top-notch batsmen who could change the game on their own. Kohli’s experience and high average make him tough for any bowling team to handle. But Babar’s speed and ability to make big scores quickly shouldn’t be underestimated. The player who handles the pressure best and turns their talent into runs that win matches will likely make the biggest impact in this much-awaited India-Pakistan match.
Babar Azam On Virat Kohli
As the T20 World Cup 2024 draws closer, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, is gearing up to face off against Indian batting sensation Virat Kohli when their teams clash on June 9 in New York. Despite this focus, the 29-year-old acknowledged that Pakistan can’t afford to underestimate any opponent.
Addressing reporters at a press conference on Monday before Pakistan’s departure to Ireland, Babar elaborated that the conditions in the USA are unfamiliar to nearly everyone. He added,
“As a team, you always plan against different teams and according to their strengths. We don’t plan anything against only one player. We plan for all 11 players. We don’t know much about the conditions in New York and we will plan accordingly. He [Virat Kohli] is one of the best players and we will plan against him as well,”
Pakistan Captain On Head Coach Gary Kirsten
Following a recent video call connecting newly appointed head coach Gary Kirsten with the national team, Babar disclosed that their discussions have been fruitful. He further commented on this, stating,
“He [Gary Kirsten] was already working, and then PCB offered him the job, which he accepted. He is very enthusiastic about our discussions and is making every effort to join the team as soon as possible,”
“However, he stays in touch daily, receiving reports about what we are doing and how we are planning things. He shares his plans with us, discussions are happening with coaches about our planning, and we update him on net practice plans, like how the bowling practice went today,”
Group A of the T20 World Cup also includes co-hosts USA, Canada, and Ireland, in addition to India and Pakistan.