IND vs PAK: 'Virat Kohli has Pakistan players who are his fans, I never wanted to get Sachin Tendulkar Out': Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif

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Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has heaped humongous praises on India star Virat Kohli and says the current Pakistan players are his fans.

India's rivalry with Pakistan is set to get reignited as the two nations meet in the T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday (June 9). After a fantastic campaign in the 2022 edition but not winning the trophy, both Pakistan and India will be hoping to come up with a better outing this year.

There will be some excellent players on display as these two arch-rivals collide in New York. Pakistan have the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Amir but India does possess some gladiators of the game.

But former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif says there is none bigger than Virat Kohli and states that the Indian stalwart has numerous fans in Pakistan including current players. Latif also reveals that he was a fanboy himself of Sachin Tendulkar and never wanted to get him out during India-Pakistan matches.

"Virat has a lot of fans in Pakistan and also the players playing are his fans," Latif said to PTI.

"Like I also say whenever Sachin used to play earlier, I never wanted him to get out. The world was paying to watch him bat but I was sitting behind the stumps and enjoying it for free," the former Pakistan captain added on a lighter note.

Kohli had a stellar IPL 2024 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Amid the question marks on his batting, Kohli amassed 741 runs for RCB and won the Orange Cap, which is given to the highest scorer of the IPL. And Latif believes the India batter will become a different beast after his outstanding IPL performance.

"Virat Kohli is a different player after this IPL. It will be really interesting to see where he bats in this World Cup," he added.

Kohli failed to make a mark in the first match of the T20 World Cup though. The 35-year-old got dismissed for only 1 run against Ireland but India won the match comfortably by 8 wickets.