Babar Azam is one of the best batters in the world across formats: Virat Kohli 

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India's batting maestro Virat Kohli hailed Pakistan's superstar batter Babar Azam as one of the best in the world across formats. Kohli had conveyed his admiration and recalled his first meeting with Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam in an interaction with Star Sports last year.

"The first interaction I had with him (Babar) was during the 2019 ODI World Cup after the game in Manchester," Kohli recalled in the interview filmed last year.

Virat Kohli-Babar Azam first interaction in 2019 ODI World Cup

"I've known Imad (Wasim) since the Under 19 World Cup, and he said Babar wanted to have a chat. We sat down and spoke about the game. I saw a lot of regard and respect from him from day one, and that hasn't changed," Kohli said.

"Top batsman in the world"

"Regardless of the fact he's probably the top batsman in the world across formats, and rightly so. Performs so consistently and I've always enjoyed watching him play," Kohli added. Babar is currently the top ranked player in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings with 886 rating points. Kohli, meanwhile, is in ninth spot with 705 rating points.

All-format superstar

The Pakistan batter is also in top five of rankings in T20Is and Tests, confirming his status as an all format superstar. He is the only player to rank in the top five across all formats in the Rankings table. India and Pakistan are set to face off in Kandy during the Asia Cup's group stage on September 2. They might also compete in the Super 4 stage based on how they go in the first round. Additionally, the fierce rivalry will also resume in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup on October 14 in Ahmedabad.