Ahmed Shehzad Blames Kohli Comparisons for Babar Azam’s Struggles
When Babar Azam made his international debut in May 2015, Virat Kohli was already a global cricket superstar — a World Cup (2011) and Champions Trophy (2013) winner, and Player of the Tournament in the 2014 T20 World Cup. Naturally, as Babar’s batting flourished for Pakistan, sections of the cricket community began drawing parallels between him and Kohli.
However, former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad believes these comparisons have done more harm than good. Speaking to GeoSuper, Shehzad said that comparing Babar to a modern legend like Kohli has created unnecessary pressure, forcing him to live up to unrealistic expectations every time he walks to the crease.
“Virat Kohli’s comparison cannot be made with anyone in the world. He is a legend of this generation, a role model. You cannot compare him even with MS Dhoni. Dhoni may have been a great captain, but as a batter, cricketer, and athlete, Kohli stands alone,” Shehzad said.
“No one should be compared with anyone because it’s unfair and it adds extra pressure, which we are now seeing on Babar Azam.”
Shehzad also criticized the double standards in cricket discourse — pointing out that when Babar was in great form, campaigns glorifying the Kohli comparison were in full swing, but now that the runs have dried up, the narrative has shifted to saying such comparisons shouldn’t be made.
Babar’s Current Struggles
Babar Azam is enduring one of the toughest phases of his career:
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Has lost his place in Pakistan’s Test and T20I squads in recent months.
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Made a Test comeback in January 2025 against West Indies but has not played T20I cricket since December 2024.
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Still searching for consistent form across formats after a prolonged lean patch.
The Bigger Picture
The message from Shehzad is clear — comparing two cricketers from different career stages, styles, and achievements can place mental strain on a player. In Babar’s case, being measured against one of the most prolific batters of all time may have contributed to the slump he’s facing today.
Bottom line: Kohli is already a once-in-a-generation player, and while Babar has immense talent, his journey should be judged on its own merit — not under the constant shadow of another cricketing giant.
A Lean Patch Turns into a Crisis
Babar’s recent form tells the story: in the ODI series against the West Indies in the Caribbean, the 30-year-old managed scores of 47 (64), 0 (3), and 9 (23) across three matches. These failures have only intensified criticism from Pakistan fans, many calling for him to be dropped from leadership and selection in white-ball formats.
He has already lost his place in Pakistan’s T20I side, hasn’t played the format since December 2024, and only regained a Test spot during the January 2025 home series against West Indies.
Why the Kohli Comparison May Be Unfair
Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-generation player with unmatched consistency, fitness, and adaptability. While Babar Azam is undoubtedly one of Pakistan’s best modern batters, constant comparisons risk overshadowing his own achievements and career trajectory.
