PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam can surpass Virat Kohli records in all three formats or not? Let’s understand in detail

Cricket is the most popular sport on the subcontinent, and supporters revere cricket players and expose every facet of their behaviour to the media for analysis and discussion.

In recent years, cricket fans from across the border have started to compare Babar Azam with fellow compatriot Virat Kohli because both of these batsmen have excelled in all three of the game’s formats.

In the context of the game, they are frequently contrasted and discussed the most. Let’s determine whether or not comparison is possible?

How the numbers compare for Babar Azam and Virat Kohli after their first 78 ODI innings.

Kohli, then aged 23, took his game to the next level. Will Babar also improve his astounding ODI numbers? pic.twitter.com/d6bE0yzckV

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 15, 2021

With the long term in mind, Babar Azam has the capability and consistency to eclipse Kohli’s records.

With 265 ODI, 104 Test, and 115 T20 matches under his belt, Virat Kohli has amassed scores of 12471, 8119, and 4008 runs while averaging an astonishing 57.5, 48.9, and 52.7 in each of the three formats.

As Babar Azam rises to the No. 1 rank, we take a look at his career progression in the format. #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/98mrTVi0u3

— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) April 14, 2021

Babar, who made his national debut, much later than Kohli did, has scored 3696 runs in tests, 4664 runs in ODIs, and 4008 runs in T20Is, with an average of 48.6, 59.8, and 41.4 in each of the three formats.

Examining the coherence Babar can undoubtedly set many records in the future, but given how international cricket is developing—every cricket board is conducting T20 leagues—players must strike a balance between international and league participation.

From reminiscing memories of his playing days in Bangladesh to praising the preparation levels of @imVkohli and on the evolving nature of Test cricket 👍

A special conversation featuring #TeamIndia Head Coach Rahul Dravid 👌

Full interview 🔽 #BANvINDhttps://t.co/nLIvUKc2BC pic.twitter.com/vz5yQhuAsB

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 15, 2022

It appears like T20 cricket will completely replace ODI cricket in the future, while Test cricket is already having trouble gaining traction due to a lack of interest from spectators.

In the future, there would only be T20 cricket and more franchise cricket. Despite his consistency, Babar wouldn’t get the chance to play all three formats in the future.

Congratulations brother for 72 hundred @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/uEi3YS8xcL

— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) December 10, 2022

Comparing these two is absurd, much as ignorant cricket fans compare Tendulkar and Kohli even though they both began their careers in different times and comparisons between two eras are improper.