Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is all praises for India’s own run-machine Virat Kohli. The Rawalpindi Express believes that Kohli is the “only player who can break Tendulkar’s record” of 100 international centuries and can continue playing cricket until his 40s. The legendary quick was full of praise for the Indian captain, who he called a “modern-day great”
Speaking to media, Akhtar said: “Virat Kohli is a modern-day great. When it comes to run chases, no one has ever shown better understanding of pacing an innings. Yes he has 50 international centuries now. But there is no pressure on him. He should just go out there and enjoy the game. He should just look after himself.”
“I think he is the only player who can break Tendulkar’s record.”
“I think he is the only player who can break Tendulkar’s record.”
The pacer went on to say that Kohli has it in him to score 120 international tons.
“If Misbah-ul-Haq can play until 43, I am sure Virat can play until he is 44. If he plays that long and if he continues to score the way he is doing now, I have no doubt that he is the only one who can do it. In fact, he can hit 120 centuries. But comparing him to Sachin is not justified. Sachin was an all-time great. In today’s era, Virat Kohli is the greatest batsman.”
In the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens, which was a thrilling draw, Kohli became only the eighth batsman to score 50 international centuries, which he made in 348 innings, which is the joint-fastest by any batsman, along with South Africa’s Hashim Amla. The 29-year-old skipper has nine centuries in 2017, which is the most by any captain in a calendar year, along with Australia’s Ricky Ponting and South Africa’s Graeme Smith.
Republic World News
