Star Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan has revealed one quality of legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli that separates him from the rest of the players.
According to Shadab, who played a big role in Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy title win by dismissing two Indian batters in the final and also taking Kohli’s catch, Virat’s discipline and his work ethic are second to none, and that makes him stand out from the others.
“Ek toh uska jo routine hai, work ethics. Discipline bahut zyada hai. Mentally bahut zyada strong ho gaye hai, kyuki vo jis level par thei, khel khel kar bhi hota hai insaan, lekin mujhe lagta hai ki vo discipline ki wajah se bahut zyada… Discipline ka bahut fark hai (Virat aur bakiyo mein),” Shadab said on the Geo News show Hasna Mana Hai.
Shadab has played many matches for Pakistan against India since making his international debut in 2017. He opened up about his interactions with Kohli during matches and said he is a very good human being.
“Bahut acha hai, jitna bada vo superstar hai, agar aap usse miloge toh apko kabhi bhi vo feel nahi karwayega. Aur sabse pehle vo khud baat shuru karta hai. Mujhe lagta hai, as a human, vo bahut acha hai. TV par shayad aisa lgta hai ki bahut zyada aggressive hai lekin nature-wise bahut acha hai (He is very good. As big a superstar as he is, if you meet him, you will never feel that way. And first of all, he starts the conversation himself. I feel that as a human, he is very good. On TV, it may seem that he is too aggressive but nature-wise he is very good).”
The former Pakistan’s white-ball vice-captain was also asked to pick one Indian player who he wants to play for Men in Green, and in reply to this question, he mentioned Hardik Pandya’s name.
According to Shadab, “Hum ek cheej lack kar rahe hai, fast bowling all-rounder. Aur agar us type ka all-rounder hume mil jayega toh humari Pakistan team ka combination bahut acha ho jayega.”
Hardik, who picked up two wickets for India in the ODI World Cup 2023 league stage match played against Pakistan in Ahmedabad on October 14, will be seen in action once again against the Men in Green next month. India is set to take on Pakistan in the second Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23.

See insights and ads
All reactions:
11