Pakistan batsman Babar Azam has distanced himself from comparisons with India batting great Virat Kohli.

Azam’s attacking strokeplay and rich returns in all formats have seen him being compared to Kohli. The 24-year-old Azam averages more than 50 in ODI and T20s and is the fastest to reach 1,000 runs in the 20-over format.

In ODIs, his record after 59 matches is much better than that of Kohli at the same stage. Babar has 2,462 runs and eight centuries after 59 matches. At that stage of his career, Kohli has 300 fewer runs and had scored five tons.

Kohli made a relatively slow start and blossomed in the later part of his career, becoming one of the finest batsman of his generation and arguably of all time.

During a PSL 2019 event for his franchise Karachi Kings, Azam was asked about the comparisons and the talented batsman said it is too early for it.

“People keep comparing me to Virat Kohli. He is a very big player and I am not even close to him as of now. I have just started my career and he has already achieved a lot in his career. I have to reach that stage,” Azam said.