'He's not even comparable to Virat's shoes': Former Pakistan player slams Babar Azam ahead of match vs India

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has dismissed the comparisons being made between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. Ahead of the hotly-anticipated India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash, Kaneria said, Babar, the current men's senior team captain was not comparable to 'Kohli's shoes'.

India vs Pakistan square off against each other at the Nassau County InternationalCricket Stadium in New York on Sunday (Jun 9), with a spot in the Super 8 on the lines.

"As soon as Babar Azam scoresa hundred, the next day you’ll see comparisons with Virat Kohli. Virat ke jute k barabar bhi nahi hai (He's not even comparable toKohli's shoes)", Kaneria was quoted as saying by news wire agencyIANS.

Kaneria cited the example of Babar's struggles against USA bowlers during Pakistan's first match of the tournament.

"USA bowlers had him stuck, he was unable to play the bowlers. As soon as he reached 40 odd runs he got out. He should have stayed and won the game. Pakistan should have won the game one sided," Kaneriaadded.

Babar's slow innings

Babar played an attritional 43-ball 44-run innings, batting first as Pakistan failed to show intent in the powerplay phase. Babar looked passive and failed to capitaliseon the fielding restrictions which eventually cost Pakistan the match.

The Pakistan skipper also came under heavy scrutiny for his decisions on the field as USA emerged victorious in the Super Over.

While Pakistan come into Sunday's clash with a disappointing result, India on the other hand completed a thumping win against Ireland. The bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya skittled the Irish batting lineup on the paltry total of 96 before the batters made a short work of the chase.

WhileBabar and Kohli failed to lit up the tournament in the first match, both will take the opportunity to show their prowess on the big stage, in perhaps one of the biggest sporting events of the year.

Squads:

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam(c), Usman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Abbas Afridi

(With inputs from agencies)