Babar Azam brings out the inner Rohit Sharma in the PSL press conference

Babar Azam has frequently been compared to Virat Kohli, because to the style he bats and the lofty milestones he has attained so early in his career. Many consider him to be Pakistan’s equivalent to India’s Virat Kohli. Babar, for his part, has always held the highest regard for Kohli. As Kohli was going through a bad patch, the Pakistan captain resorted to social media with his “this too shall pass” message in support of the former India captain. In the midst of all of this, few have considered drawing parallels between Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma.

Nevertheless, given what happened at the post-match press conference of a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, they may have reconsidered. Peshawar skipper Babar Azam performed a Rohit Sharma by responding to a journalist’s question on Karachi Kings’ troubles in the present PSL with a humorous response. This season, Karachi has lost four matches (three of them in the final over). Babar, who led the Karachi Kings till the last edition, was asked about the changes Karachi has to do to make a comeback in the league.

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Rohit said a similar thing after the 2019 WC game against Pakistan

“Main unka coach thodi hu? Aapse mujhse puch rahe hai unke baare mein. Aj ke match ki baat karte hai (Am I their coach? Why are you asking me about them? let’s talk about today’s match),” Babar said after his side lost to Islamabad United. The response was uncannily similar to Rohit’s response to a query from a Pakistani journalist during the 2019 ODI World Cup. “Agar main Pakistan ka coach bana to main bataunga, abhi kya bataunga (If I become Pakistan’s coach, I will tell you. What would I say now),” Rohit said with a wide smile when asked how Pakistan batsmen should improve.

In the Pakistan Super League, fast bowler Hasan Ali took 3-35 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit 62 from 31 balls in Islamabad United’s six-wicket win against Peshawar Zalmi on Thursday. Hasan halted Peshawar’s blistering start with three wickets in eight deliveries before skipper Babar Azam’s unbeaten 75 steadied his team to 156-8. Gurbaz took advantage of two missed catches by James Neesham to reach his half-century off 24 balls as Islamabad raced to 159-4 with 31 balls to spare, their second win in three games.