Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Friday said a pep talk by India’s cricketsuperstar Virat Kohli at the start of his career helped him a lot.
The titans clash in Pallekele on Saturday in the 50-over Asia Cuptournament, a prelude to the upcoming ODI World Cup in India.
Both Azam, who remains top of the ODI batting chart, and Kohli have praisedeach other on various occasions despite the bitter rivalry between the twonations.
Asked about comparisons between the two batsmen, the 28-year-old Azam said:“I can’t comment on the debate. Let’s leave that to (the fans).”
“There should be mutual respect. He is older than me and I respect him. Ihave learned a lot from him,” he said.
“I have said earlier that when I started (international cricket) I spoke tohim and it helped me a lot.”
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Azam did not reveal the details of the chat.
Kohli, 34, was seen mingling with the Pakistan players and hugged pacebowler Haris Rauf as the teams trained under the lights on the eve of thebig group clash.
Meanwhile, Pakistan announced their XI, keeping the same team whichhammered Asia Cup debutants Nepal in the opener.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (cap), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman,Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf,Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi APP/AFP
