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Virat Kohli is currently the best cricketer in the world and his immense international popularity was evident on Sunday, September 15, when a fan in Faisalabad waved his jersey during a match between Babar Azam’s Stallions and the Markhors in the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup, a domestic tournament in Pakistan.

Although Babar Azam managed to score 45 runs from 45 balls, the Stallions fell short by 126 runs against the Markhors. Iftikhar Ahmed contributed 60 off 66 balls, and Salman Agha added 52 from 72 balls, helping the Markhors set a total of 231 runs.

Virat Kohli craze in display in Pakistan ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

During the match, as Babar Azam led the Stallions, a spectator at the Faisalabad stadium was spotted holding Virat Kohli’s jersey. This occurred in the 29th over, when Salman Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed were at the crease with the Markhors at 131/4, highlighting Kohli’s widespread admiration.

Virat Kohli is currently one of the world’s global star. Kohli has seen massive gain in popularity in Pakistan as well. There have been instances when fans in Pakistan have been seen displaying banners during the PSL, urging him to visit. With Pakistan set to host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, it will be intriguing to observe the response if Kohli and the Indian team travel to Pakistan.

Babar Azam losing his fandom

Pakistan cricket team’s star batter Babar Azam was once regarded as probably the closest talent from Pakistan to India’s Virat Kohli. Although Babar Azam has achieved a lot in his career so far, the 29-years-old has been massively struggling for form in the last one year and the fans are slowly losing all the trust on him. Fans who were once praising him, are the ones who are now criticising him on a regular basis and turning on him.

Azam recently scored only 64 runs in 4 innings in a series whitewash against Bangladesh. Previously, he scored only 122 runs in the T20 World Cup that saw Pakistan knocked-out of the group stage of the tournament under Babar’s captaincy, which has raised questions on his batting abilities as well as leadership qualities.

What is Virat Kohli upto now?

The Indian cricket team’s biggest maestro most recently won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and announced his retirement from T20I format. He has been away in London with his wife Anushka Sharma and his children most recently but has returned to India to prepare for the upcoming Test series vs Bangladesh.

Team India is set to take on their neighbours Bangladesh in a 2 match Test series to be held in India from 19th September. The first Test match of the series will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. We will then visit the Green Park stadium in Kanpur for the 2nd Test to be played from 27th September. Following that, Team India will also play 3 T20Is against the Bangla Tigers but Virat Kohli won’t be part of the series after his retirement from the format.

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