‘Kahan se aate hai yeh log?’ – Fans react as Aqib Javed says ‘Virat Kohli is not as consistent as Babar Azam’

The excitement of an India vs Pakistan game is incomparable. It is one of the most fiercely fought encounters in cricket. The marquee rivalry is all set to return as the two nations gear up for the two important multi-lateral tournaments – Asia Cup 2023 and the ODI World Cup 2023. The two teams will first meet in the Asia Cup 2023 when India open their campaign in Kandy, Sri Lanka on September 2. The two sides can meet up to three times in the continental tournament – once in the group stages, once in the Super Four and once in the final, the second two meetings are subject to qualification from both sides.

Talking of the ODI World Cup 2023, the high-octane clash between the arch-rivals will take place in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium. It was originally scheduled to take place on October 15, which is also Babar Azam’s birthday. However, in the updated schedule, the game was preponed to October 14 because it coincided with the Indian festival, ‘Navaratri’ which is a primary festival in Gujarat and can cause security concerns for the game.

‘Kohli had one outstanding season and then there is a decline’ – Aqib Javed

Talking ahead of the important games, former Pakistan cricketer-turned-coach Aqib Javed compared the batting duo of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam and opined that Babar is much more consistent than Virat Kohli. “Many a times you head into World Cup thinking this might be the last for a couple of players. This time I feel it is happening to India. When stars become larger than life, it becomes difficult for team management to make decisions. That is why if look and compare all the departments, Pakistan have a very good chance this time,” Javed said.

“How long is Rohit Sharma going to play? About Kohli, if you compare him with Babar, then he has one outstanding season and then there is a decline. He is a brilliant player but in patches. He is not as consistent as Babar. That is why I’m saying this is Pakistan’s best chance to beat India again in a World Cup match,” he added.

Here’s how fans reacted: