Virat Kohli and Babar Azam stand as modern-era cricket legends, displaying mutual respect for each other’s prowess on the field. Their exchanges of admiration have become a notable feature. Recently, Babar Azam shared an instance of Virat Kohli’s generous assistance during the 2019 ODI World Cup, which significantly contributed to his growth as a player.

As Pakistan prepared to face Nepal in the Asia Cup 2023 opener, Babar expressed gratitude towards Kohli, acknowledging the immense boost in confidence that accompanies praise from a player of Kohli’s stature. Babar, Pakistan’s top-ranked ODI batter, led his team to a resounding victory over Nepal by delivering a remarkable performance, amassing 151 runs, the second-highest individual total in Asia Cup history.

ALSO READ: Sanjay Manjrekar Expresses Concerns Over India’s Top-Order Performance

Before the commencement of the match, Babar engaged in a discussion with Star Sports, unveiling a conversation that had a positive impact on his cricketing journey. He recounted his interaction with Virat Kohli during the 2019 World Cup, where Kohli was at the zenith of his power. Kohli’s willingness to share insights and knowledge left a lasting impression on Babar, who has since benefited significantly from the interaction.

“When somebody passes comments like this…”

Babar Azam reacts to Virat Kohli’s statement on him ahead of Asia Cup Clash#BabarAzam #ViratKohli𓃵 #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup23 #IndianCricketTeam #PakistanCricket https://t.co/Sg2gGmGRAR

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) August 31, 2023

“In 2019 World Cup, I met Virat Kohli, who was at his peak – he still is. I posed a few questions to him, and he graciously explained. I’ve gained a lot from him,” shared Babar Azam. He further expressed his appreciation, stating, “It’s incredibly satisfying when someone of Virat’s caliber speaks highly of you. His words have instilled immense confidence in me.”

ALSO READ: Mitchell Marsh opens up on Tanveer Sangha’s eleventh hour T20I debut

Both Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are gearing up to showcase their best performances as India and Pakistan prepare for their clash on September 2. The match marks the opening encounter for Rohit Sharma’s team.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has already secured a significant victory, defeating their first opponent by a margin of 238 runs, thereby taking a significant stride towards qualifying for the Super 4 stage.