Babar Azam needs to become consistent like Virat Kohli: Wasim Akram

Babar Azam has arguably been the most consistent batsman for Pakistan across three formats over the last couple of years so. However, despite his stupendous run of form at the highest level, Wasim Akram, the legendary Pakistan fast bowler, said that he needs to be consistent like India’s Virat Kohli.

Akram stated that the 26-year-old has shown sparks of brilliance, but needs to replicate the performances on a regular basis to be spoken in the same breath as Kohli, who’s third on the list of most centuries made by a batsman in international cricket after Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.

“I wouldn’t like to make any comparison but having said that, I would like to add that Babar Azam is an exceptional talent, he has shown his excellence in all formats, but in patches. I would be very happy if he can see the comparison positively and becomes consistent in his performance like Kohli,” Akram was quoted as saying in the New Indian Express.

Babar Azam shining in Zimbabwe series

Babar, recently, became the leading run-scorer in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, scoring 221 runs at an average of 110.50. The Lahore-born also scored a run-a-ball 125 in the final game in Rawalpindi, though Pakistan couldn’t get over the line after the match went in the Super Over.

He also became the third-fastest batter to reach 12 ODI centuries after Australia women’s Meg Lanning and South Africa’s Quinton de Kock. In 77 ODIs, the right-hander currently has 3,580 runs at a stupendous average of 55.93.

Apart from praising Babar, Akram also said that sports shouldn’t suffer because of politics. Moreover, the veteran wished for the Pakistan cricketers to take part in the IPL and for the Indian cricketers to ply their trade in the PSL.

“I have always believed that sports shouldn’t be a victim of politics but that is a government subject of both countries and it won’t be apt for me to say anything. But as you said in the question itself, yes IPL is one of the most competitive domestic leagues in the cricketing world and I wish Pakistan youngsters get to be a part of it and I also wish to see Indian players playing in PSL,” he added.