Babar Azam and Virat Kohli are widely regarded as two of the finest batters of their generation, with their performances sparking ongoing debates among fans and former cricketers alike on social media. As the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy draws near, Pakistan will face New Zealand in the opening match on February 19. However, the real excitement kicks off on February 23, when arch-rivals India and Pakistan clash in a rare encounter in Dubai.
This high-stakes match not only brings national pride to the forefront but also sets the stage for some thrilling personal contests. Stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Mohammed Shami will all be eager to deliver top performances for their teams.
Rauf Picks Rohit Sharma Over Kohli and Babar Azam, Names Key Players for Indo-Pak Clash
The Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam debate has long engaged cricket fans, but former Pakistan pacer Abdur Rauf Khan believes that India captain Rohit Sharma is currently ahead of both players in the world of cricket. “Both are great players,” Rauf said when asked about the Kohli vs Babar comparison, “but in my opinion, Virat Kohli has no comparison. His class, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure set him apart. Babar Azam, when in form, is exceptional. But personally, my favourite batsman is Rohit Sharma. I believe Rohit is currently the best batsman in world cricket. He is way better than Virat and Babar.”
When asked about the key “game-changing players” from India and Pakistan, Rauf singled out Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma from the Indian side, and Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah from Pakistan. “Pandya is a match-winner who can turn the game around with both bat and ball, while Rohit’s experience in high-pressure games is invaluable. Rizwan is always a threat against India, and Naseem Shah has been Pakistan’s most consistent bowler lately with great control over his line and length.”
Surprisingly, Rauf didn’t mention Shaheen Shah Afridi in his list. When questioned about it, Rauf noted Afridi hasn’t been at his peak since his knee injury. “A couple of years ago, I would have definitely included Shaheen. At his peak, he was one of the best fast bowlers. But since his knee injury, he’s lost pace and isn’t swinging the ball as effectively. His strength was always his ability to move the ball in the air, which troubled top-order batsmen like Rohit. At the moment, though, he seems to be struggling, and I feel Naseem Shah is the more dangerous bowler for Pakistan.”