Brad Hogg prefers Babar Azam over Virat Kohli in his current Test XI

Former Australia left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg has included Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Babar Azam in his current Test XI but there was not place in his lineup for Indian captain and star batsman, Virat Kohli.

Hogg featured in 7 Tests, 123 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 15 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for Australia while picking up 17 wickets, 156 wickets and 7 wickets respectively in each format.

The 49-year-old pointed out Azam’s century in Brisbane, during Pakistan’s most recent tour of Australia, as one of the reasons behind his decision.    

“The reason why I have included Babar Azam in the lineup is because he scored a hundred against Australia in Brisbane, when Pakistan toured Australia last year,” said Hogg. “It’s very hard for overseas teams to perform on that particular wicket but he showed that he could and that is why he is one of the best players going around.”

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Speaking about Kohli, Hogg said that the Indian skipper failed to live up to expectations, during his last 15 Test innings, in terms of numbers.

“Everyone will ask why is Virat Kohli not in this team?” he said. “But if you look at his last 15 Test innings, only four times he has gone over 31 [runs]. That’s why Virat Kohli is not my Test team this year.”   

Brad Hogg’s current Test XI:

Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Babar Azam, Ajinkya Rahane, Quinton De Kock (c/wk), Pat Cummins, Mohammad Sham, Neil Wagner, Nathon Lyon.