Pakistanis too love Virat Kohli; aspiring players want to bat like him, says Younis Khan

Virat Kohli, like Sachin Tendulkar, is one player whose popularity knows no geographical barrier. The ace Indian batsman is liked even by people on the other side of the Wagah border. On occasions, batters from Pakistan are also compared with the India captain, either for their looks or style of play. Recently, former Australia captain Michael Clarke compared talented Pakistani middle-order batsman Babar Azam with Kohli although it was mocked, just as Ahmed Shehzad who had more facial resemblance with the Indian batsman.

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has recently said that Kohli is indeed loved by the Pakistan cricket fans and that players from Pakistan aspire to bat like the Indian captain. Kohli is approaching 11,000 runs in ODIs now and is the owner of 41 hundred in the format, just eight less than his compatriot Tendulkar. Against Pakistan, Kohli has slammed two centuries and one half-century in 12 innings, including one colossal knock of 183 in the Asia Cup of 2012.

Stands were empty when Kohli didn’t play Asia Cup, says Younis

“Virat Kohli is also loved by Pakistanis. Today, many Pakistan players want to play like Kohli and be fit like him and have his body language. Even in the Asia Cup where he did not play, the stadiums weren’t jampacked. He is a big factor for India in the World Cup,” Younis said at Salaam Cricket 2019 held in London on Sunday, reported India Today. Younis is the only Pakistani batsman to have crossed 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

Fans on either side of Wagah will be eagerly watching the two arch-rivals lock horns at Old Trafford on June 16. Kohli will be the fourth Indian captain after Mohammad Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to lead India in a World Cup game against Pakistan and would like to match the win-all records of his predecessors.

Recently, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada took a dig at Kohli calling him “immature” as one who can’t take back what he hurls at his opponents. However, former West Indian captain Viv Richards hasn’t found anything problematic with Kohli’s style and opined that the 30-year-old is misunderstood.