Rohit Sharma is a different player than I am: Babar Azam

Ever since he started impressing in international cricket, Babar Azam has drawn comparisons with the best in the world. At present, he is one of the best all-format batsmen in the world. Nothing describes his rapid rise in the game better than the fact that he is leading Pakistan in all three formats, just six years after making his debut.

He averages more than 44 in all the formats of the game. His consistent displays across formats made many compare him with India superstar Virat Kohli who is arguably the best batsman in the world for nearly a decade now. After years of comparison with Kohli, Babar is now being compared with India opener Rohit Sharma.

And the Pakistan skipper spoke about Rohit after guiding his team to an ODI series-clinching win over South Africa on Wednesday. The right-handed batsman starred in the three-match series, scoring 103, 31, and 94 to help Pakistan win it 2-1. The 26-year-old made finished the series with 228 runs at an average of 76.

Following the game, Babar downplayed the comparisons by saying that ‘Rohit Sharma is a different player than I am’. Babar stated that he plays according to his strength and is currently working on his long shots.

“Look, Rohit Sharma is a different player than I am, I play according to my strengths. I am working on my long shots and the idea is to utilize that skill when it’s needed,” Babar Azam was quoted as saying by PakPassion.

Pakistan beat South Africa in series-decider

Talking about the third ODI between South Africa and Pakistan, the visitors won it by 28 runs to clinch the series. Asked to bat first, Pakistan scored 320 for 7 in the stipulated 50 overs. In-form opener Fakhar Zaman, who made 193 in a losing effort in the second ODI, made 101 from 104 balls, while his opening partner Imam-ul-Haq scored 57.

Captain Babar, on the other hand, played a quickfire knock of 94 off 82 balls. Towards the end, Hasan Ali’s fine cameo of 32 runs off just 11 balls helped Pakistan touch the 320-run mark. In reply, South Africa rarely looked in contention to chase down the total and were all out for 292.