'Babar is technically more sound but Kohli has more shots' - Naved-Ul-Hasan compares Virat Kohli and Babar Azam's batting to spark spicy debate

There has been a lot of debate regarding who is the more prolific batter between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. While the Indian batter made his international debut in 2008, the Pakistan captain and batter has been in international cricket since 2015.

Both players have been the go-to batters for their respective nations. They have been carrying the burden of expectations of cricket-crazy fans on their able shoulders for a number of years. A lot of banters take place between fans of the two countries and every now and then, a statement from a former cricketer on the two players spices up the debate.

Former Pakistani pacer, Naved-ul-Hasan has joined the fray as he recently gave his take on the two batters. According to the 45-year-old, Azam is the more 'technically sound' player, while Kohli has a wider range of shots in his arsenal.

“Whenever we compare Babar Azam or Virat Kohli, I always say Babar is more technically sound than him, and this is why he has rare failures. Kohli struggled recently for a year or year and a half because he is a bottom-handed player, and when these players fail it lasts longer,” Naved said on Nadir Ali Podcast.

“Babar is technically more sound but Kohli has more shots than him. However, Babar makes good use of his limited shots. The reason Kohli has more shots than Babar is because the pitches in India are superb for batting, he plays in the IPL where he faces world class bowlers,” he said.

If I was in my old rhythm, then between the two I can get Kohli out easily: Naved-ul-Hasan

Naved-ul-Hasan played 87 matches for Pakistan across three formats and picked up 133 wickets. He dropped a bombshell during the interview as he said that in his prime he would have 'easily' dismissed Kohli.

 “If I was in my old rhythm, then between the two I can get Kohli out easily. I had good outswing so I would have gotten him caught at slips or the wicketkeeper,” he concluded.

Kohli is currently in the Caribbean where India is facing the West Indies in a multi-format series. Azam, on the other hand, is plying his trade in Sri Lanka, as Pakistan are facing Dimuth Karunaratne's men in a two-match Test series.