NEW DELHI: Parallels are often drawn between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam - two modern-day greats of the game. However, the Indian star stands ahead of the former Pakistan captain when it comes to records, career achievements, and personal milestones.

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan, who has been away from the national team for nearly a year and a half, sparked a buzz with his comment drawing comparisons between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli.

Azam Khan credited Babar Azam for uplifting Pakistan's reputation with his batting, just as Virat Kohli did for India - a team traditionally known for its fast bowling.

"Pakistan cricket was famous because of fast bowling," Azam said. "But this guy made it famous because of batting. There is a huge difference. Like what Virat Kohli did for India," Azam Khan said on Cricwick podcast.

"Virat Kohli had someone around him who was a legend at that time. The era Virat Kohli started playing in, he had VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, (Rahul) Dravid, Virender Sehwag and MS Dhoni. So many big batsmen," he said. "But who was there with Babar? There was no one."

When asked if Pakistan fans truly appreciated Babar's contributions, Azam responded bluntly, 'No, they don't.'

Azam Khan also backed India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav's statement in the same podcast that there is no real rivalry between India and Pakistan.

"If you see the ICC tournaments, I think... I don't know if I should say this, but technically he is correct," said Moin Khan's son.

The 27-year-old Azam Khan has featured in 14 T20Is for Pakistan but hasn't appeared in international cricket since the 2024 T20 World Cup.