Abdur Rauf: “Babar Azam, when in form, is exceptional. But personally, my favourite batsman is Rohit Sharma. I believe Rohit is currently the best batsman in world cricket. He is way better than Virat and Babar”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan fast bowler Abdur Rauf believes India captain Rohit Sharma is a “way better” batsman than Babar Azam and Virat Kohli.
Rauf noted that Rohit is his favourite batsman and feels the 37-year-old is the best in the world when it comes to batting.
Even though he doesn’t think Azam is as good as Rohit and Kohli, who he feels is in a class of his own, Rauf insisted that the Pakistan superstar is “exceptional” when he is firing on all cylinders.
“Both are great players, but in my opinion, Virat Kohli has no comparison. His class, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure set him apart. Babar Azam, when in form, is exceptional. But personally, my favourite batsman is Rohit Sharma. I believe Rohit is currently the best batsman in world cricket. He is way better than Virat and Babar,” he told the Times of India.
Azam recently featured in Pakistan’s ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, where he mustered 62 runs in three matches at an average of 20.66.
He then proceeded to feature in the 2025 Champions Trophy and amassed 87 runs in two games, which included a top score of 64, at an average of 43.50.
Pakistan saw their campaign come to an end in the group stage of the tournament as they lost to New Zealand and India.
Their final game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
The men in green are now facing New Zealand in a white-ball series and were crushed 4-1 in the T20Is, which Azam wasn’t picked for.
Azam, however, was selected for the ongoing three-match ODI series and kicked things off with 78 runs in the 1st ODI in Napier.
Despite his efforts, Pakistan lost by 73 runs and will look to bounce back in the 2nd ODI on April 2 in Hamilton.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir