Indian batter Virat Kohli and Pakistan skipper Babar Azam were seen exchanging pleasantries ahead of the all-important clash between the two sides in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022.
The two batters will be entering the competition in quite different states. Babar has been hitting runs in all three formats, while Kohli has found it difficult to put together noteworthy innings.
Nevertheless, on-field battles aside, the two share a lot of mutual respect and it was quite evident in the video shared by the BCCI ahead of the clash on August 28.
Read more: Muhammad Hasnain replaces Shaheen Shah Afridi for Asia Cup
It has been a tough year for Kohli
Kohli is entering the competition following a significant break. He did not participate in the West Indies tour or the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.
In a recent conversation with broadcaster Star Sports, ahead of the team’s bumper clash against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Kohli compared his current form with his struggles on the tour of England in 2014.
He said that his failures in England had a pattern, while the current lack of runs isn’t a matter of worry because he feels he is batting well.
“What happened in England was a pattern, so something that I could work on and something that I had to kind of overcome. Right now, as you rightly mentioned, there is nothing that you can point out saying that the problem is happening here. So, that for me, is actually an easier thing to process because I know that I’m batting well and at times, when I start feeling that rhythm back, then I know that I’m batting well.” Kohli said while speaking exclusively on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’.
Read more: Pakistan likely to host Asia Cup in 2023
India is the most successful team in the history of the Asia Cup and is also a two-time defending champion. Pakistan last won the tournament in 2012.
