Not fair to compare me with Kohli: Umar Akmal

Karachi [Pakistan], Feb.22 (ANI): Playing down his comparison with Virat Kohli, middle-order Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal believes it is absolutely unfair to liken him with the Indian skipper since they both bat at different numbers. The 26-year-old, however, insisted that the comparison between him and Kohli will be equal if he bats at No. 3 while the latter comes in at No. 6. Akmal's comments come following his match-winning performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) clash between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United. "When people compare me to Kohli, it's a matter of number. Since Kohli's debut he is batting at number three and I have been batting at number six. Let me play at number three slot and him on six, then compare me with him," Akmal, who scored 66 off 42 deliveries in Qalandars' one-wicket win, was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune. Akmal further emphasized that it would be better to compare Kohli with Babar Azam who also plays at the No.3 spot for Pakistan. "Compare Kohli with Babar Azam, who is doing well at three. He is in great form so you can compare him with Babar and not me," Akmal said. While Akmal has gathered a total of 3,044 runs from 116 ODIs he played, Kohli has notched up 7,755 runs from 179. In T20Is, the Indian batting mainstay has scored 1,709 runs from 48 matches in contrast to Akmal's 1,690 runs in 82 caps.(ANI)