I feel uncomfortable when anyone compares me with Rohit Sharma: Haider Ali

Pakistan youngster Haider Ali rose to fame with his exploits in the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. He even earned a national call-up for Pakistan’s tour of England.

Trying to make it big at the international level, Haider had recently labelled Rohit Sharma as his role model. Impressed by the Indian opener’s clean hitting and penchant for scoring big knocks, Haider had heaped praise on Rohit in a media interaction in June.  Rohit, especially after donning the opener’s hat, has been in phenomenal touch with the willow. The Indian limited-overs vice-captain is the only batsman to have scored three double hundreds in the ODI format.

“As far as role models are concerned, mine is Rohit Sharma. I like him as a player, and want to give the side an aggressive start at the top, and hit the ball cleanly like him. He is a man for all three formats, and he can adapt his game to all three formats,” Haider had said.

20-year-old Haider, who marked his arrival in international cricket by scoring an explosive half-century at Old Trafford against England, has been compared with Rohit due to his playing style. However, the youngster has played down all the comparisons, saying that such comparisons with the Indian great make him feel uncomfortable. According to Haider, he still has a long way to go to be recognized as a top batsman.

I can perform in all three formats: Haider Ali

“He is a top batsman and I feel uncomfortable when anyone compares us. There is no comparison. He has already achieved so much,” said Haider as quoted by Hindustan Times.

The right-hander also revealed that he has learnt a lot just by watching videos of several great batsmen including Rohit. Haider’s aim is to represent Pakistan’s team in all three formats instead of being confined to just one format.

“I can perform in all three formats as I enjoy playing in them. I had a good first-class season and our coach, Muhammad Wasim had given me good guidance at the Northerns side,” he said.

Haider, highlighting the importance of domestic cricket, said that a player performs to his full potential if his coach backs him and gives him the confidence to make it big. “I have always felt that if your coach gives you confidence it makes a big difference to the confidence of a player and he performs to his full potential,” he further said.