Wasim Jaffer: Babar Azam's Kohli comparisons fueled hype

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has expressed his view that Pakistan batter Babar Azam receives more hype than he deserves. Jaffer noted that comparisons with Indian stalwart Virat Kohli and media labels like 'king' have placed unnecessary pressure on Azam. He suggested that Azam may have tried to emulate Kohli's performance for the Indian team. While acknowledging Azam's skill and class, Jaffer identified overhype and captaincy issues as key reasons for the batter's struggles. He believes Azam, despite leading Pakistan to World Cup and Asia Cup finals, could not consistently elevate the team's performance. Jaffer concluded that while Azam remains one of Pakistan's top batters, better handling of expectations and pressure could have led to a different career trajectory.