Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are in the same league: Mushtaq Mohammad

Mushtaq Mohammad, the former Pakistan cricketer, reckons that Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are in the same league despite the Indian skipper being better and more experienced. It’s been over a decade since Kohli broke into the national team and is currently, its stalwart across all formats. The 31-year-old from Delhi is currently the ICC’s number-one ranked Test and ODI batsman.

Babar, on the other hand, is Pakistan’s most consistent batsman without a shred of a doubt, irrespective of the format. The Lahore-born is ranked number one in T20Is and has a lead in excess of 200 points from Kohli, placed ninth. Mohammad, who’s based in Birmingham, feels that Babar doesn’t get to play a whole lot of Tests in a calendar year as compared to Virat.

“Kohli might be a better player and more experienced but Babar is a top batsman and in same league but he doesn’t get too many Tests in a year,” Mohammad was quoted as saying in Hindustan Times.

Mushtaq, who played 57 Tests and 10 ODIs from 1959 to 1979, admitted that Indian cricket is ahead of Pakistan due to their structure. The former captain quipped that Indian cricket have a strong pool of players, who are also paid handsomely.

Indian cricket is at top now: Mohammad

“They are ahead of Pakistan and some other nations now because they have developed a sound cricket system by not making too many changes to their structure, their domestic and international players are well paid and they have built a strong pool of players,” Mushtaq stated.

The legendary cricketer also said that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has helped cricket in India to a great extent. “That (IPL) has helped them a lot. They pay and look after their players so well that their players don’t mind this restriction and can focus on India,” Mohammad said.

Mohammad also expressed his grief over Pakistan not playing many Tests at home compared to the Indian team. “Indian cricket is at top now because look at the number of matches they are playing at home and they are also getting better on overseas tours. In comparison Pakistan hardly plays regular Test series,” he added.