Kohli is world's best batsman: Imran Khan

Cricketer-turned-politician says in his time there was Viv Richards and today there is Kohli


News Desk June 15, 2016
Cricketer-turned-politician says in his time there was Viv Richards and today there is Kohli. PHOTO: PTI

Pakistan’s World Cup winning captain Imran Khan on Tuesday said Indian batsman Virat Kohli was one of the best in the world, even better than Sachin Tendulkar in critical moments.

“Cricket has had eras. In the eighties, it was Viv Richards, and then you had Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar who stood out. Virat Kohli is one of the most complete players I’ve seen. He’s so versatile; he plays on both feet, and on all sides of the field,’’ Khan told Hindustan Times in an exclusive interview at his Islamabad residence.

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“Apart from his talent and technique, he has a very good temperament. His temperament is better than Sachin’s. Kohli performs at the most difficult of opportunities, which Sachin sometimes wasn’t able to,” he said. Kohli has been India’s standout performer since his debut in 2008 and has played match-winning knocks on numerous occasions.

Kohli’s phenomenal performance in a World T20 match between India and Pakistan in March led to their win over the greenshirts. The cricketer-turned-politician who was in Kolkata for the match said, “It was very painful watching Pakistan lose, but Kohli played a very good game. I look at batsmen from a bowler’s point of view and I think of how to get them out.”

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“Just look at how Kohli plays in difficult situations. He’s better than anyone. I’d say he’s the best internationally, today. You can back him to play any match,” said Imran.

Imran also lashed out at the Indian government for showing ‘immature’ attitude by not allowing bilateral cricket ties between the two countries and urged them to restore ties.

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“It’s very immature to punish Pakistan for something they did not agree with. This idea of collective punishment... no human rights (principle) calls for collective punishment. Everyone here condemned the Mumbai and Pathankot attacks. Mind you, we suffer far more terrorist attacks than you do every other day. So, to blame a country that’s actually suffering from the worst form of terrorism, and then to give it this collective punishment, is just very immature,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Hindustan Times.

COMMENTS (20)

Mansoor Ali Khan | 7 years ago | Reply @Anuj @ Rahul It seems you guys have been trolled by Adnan Siddiqi Read his comments again
Pakistani | 7 years ago | Reply We really do like Virat Kohli
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