Virat Kohli hails Babar Azam as ‘top batsman in the world across formats’

India star batter Virat Kohli hailed Pakistan skipper Babar Azam as the most effective batters on the planet throughout codecs whereas recalling his first assembly with him throughout an interplay with Star Sports on Saturday.

“The first interaction I had with him [Babar] was during the 2019 [ODI] World Cup after the game in Manchester. I’ve known Imad [Wasim] since the Under-19 World Cup, and he said Babar wanted to have a chat. We sat down and spoke about the game.

“I saw a lot of regard and respect from him from day one, and that hasn’t changed. Regardless of the fact he’s probably the top batsman in the world across formats, and rightly so. Performs so consistently and I’ve always enjoyed watching him play,” Kohli mentioned.

Babar, the top-ranked ODI batter on the planet, can also be ranked within the high 5 in Tests and T20Is, making him the one participant to be ranked within the high 5 throughout codecs.

Archrivals India and Pakistan will face off within the Asia Cup in Kandy on September 2 and will additionally meet within the Super 4 stage of the event. The rivalry will intensify when the 2 conflict within the ICC Cricket World Cup in Ahmedabad on October 14.