Pakistan’s cricket captain Babar Azam acknowledged that India’s Virat Kohli will be a key factor to look up to in their upcoming T20 World Cup match.
Pakistan’s cricket captain Babar Azam acknowledged that India’s star batter Virat Kohli will be a lethal factor for their team in their upcoming T20 World Cup encounter, which is scheduled for June 9th in New York, USA. Azam made these comments ahead of Pakistan’s T20I series against Ireland, which begins on March 10th.
While emphasising that Pakistan typically plans against entire teams, Azam conceded that they will develop specific strategies to counter Kohli’s batting prowess. “As a team, you always plan against different teams and according to their strengths. We do not plan anything against one player. We plan for all 11 players. We do not know much about the conditions in New York, and we will plan accordingly. He [Virat Kohli] is one of the best players, and we will plan against him as well,” Azam said at a press conference, as quoted by NDTV.
Kohli boasts an impressive record against Pakistan in T20 internationals. In 10 matches, he has amassed 488 runs with an average of 81.33 and a strike rate exceeding 123, including five half-centuries. His highest score against Pakistan in T20Is is an unbeaten 82.
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The upcoming clash between Pakistan and India is highly anticipated, especially considering Kohli’s dominant performance in their last T20 World Cup meeting back in 2022. During that encounter, Kohli played a match-winning knock of 82 runs off just 53 balls, guiding India to victory in a tense run chase.
Meanwhile, in preparation for the World Cup, Pakistan has also geared up, as the Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed former South African batter Gary Kirsten as their white-ball head coach. Kirsten, who currently works as a batting coach for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, boasts an impressive coaching record, having led India to victory in the 2011 ODI World Cup.
Pakistan will be hoping for Kirsten’s guidance to work as they start their campaign for the T20 World Cup against the United States on June 6th.
Last Updated on May 6, 2024
