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Too early to compare Babar Azam with Virat Kohli, says Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram threw his weight behind Virat Kohli ahead of the Asia Cup, backing the former India skipper to come back to form and said that he felt Kohli copped some unfair criticism for his lack of form.

Too early to compare Babar Azam with Virat Kohli, says Wasim Akram PHOTO: ICC

Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram backed Virat Kohli to come back to form while stating that Babar Azam has a long way to go before he can be compared with Virat Kohli.

Wasim Akram threw his weight behind Virat Kohli ahead of the Asia Cup, backing the former India skipper to come back to form and said that he felt Kohli copped some unfair criticism for his lack of form.

“The fans and media have been criticizing Virat Kohli quite unfairly in the social media," Akram said in the Asia Cup special show on Star Sports while chatting with Ravi Shastri.

"He is one of the greatest of all time, not just in this era. He still fit as a fiddle. He is still one of the best fielders in the Indian squad.

“As they say class is forever and that is Virat Kohli. Hope he doesn’t come back to form against Pakistan but he will come back eventually."

Shastri, who was until recently the head coach of the Indian side, pointed at the workload on all three formats taking a toll on Kohli, while saying that he felt the break would help Kohli get back to his best.

“I recently came across a stat during India-England Test match that Kohli has played over three times the number of games as compared to his top rivals like Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root. Leading India in all three formats of the game take a heavy toll and I believe this break will be good for him,” Shastri said.

Akram was in sync with Shastri's thoughts and also shared his thoughts on the inevitable comparison between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam.

“The comparisons are only natural. When we played people used to compare Inzamam, Rahul Dravid, and Sachin Tendulkar. Before that, it was Sunil Gavaskar Javed Miandad, G Vishwanath, and Zaheer Abbas.

“Babar has been very consistent because he has got the right technique. He is very hungry and very fit. He is still a young captain but is learning very fast. However, comparisons with Virat it is too early.

“Babar is on the right track to be where Virat Kohli is but to compare him with him at this stage is too early. But he is absolutely on the right track to be one of the modern greats,” said Akram.

India's clash against Pakistan on 28 August in the Asia Cup, the first contest between these sides since the ICC Men's T20 World Cup game last year.