"Matching Babar with Smith is almost like matching Smith with Kohli" - Usman Khawaja

Veteran Australian batter Usman Khawaja recently came up with an interesting comment on the comparisons floating around Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, and Steve Smith. Khawaja suggested that Babar has the skill level of Kohli and Smith, given his records across formats.

Babar Azam chart has had a meteoric rise over the last few years, turning into a prolific run-getter across formats, especially in one-day internationals. The right-handed batter is the fastest to 5000 ODI runs in the history of the format. He has amassed 5729 in 117 ODIs so far, averaging an impressive 56.72, while also recording 19 tons.

In that context, Khawaja believes Smith and Babar locking horns in the upcoming Benaud-Qadir Trophy will be intriguing. He expects the latter to shine in the three-Test series.

As quoted by Cricketpakistan.com.pk, Khawaja said:

"Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in all three formats. Steve Smith is the greatest batsman of our era. When they both will be playing here in the Benaud-Qadir series, it would be exciting.

"Matching Babar with Smith is almost like matching Smith with Kohli. One of the great things about Babar is he does not score only in Pakistan; he scores runs overseas as well. He has scored a hundred here in the past."

Pakistan's recent Test record Down Under is far from impressive. They haven't won a Test in Australia since 1995, when they beat the hosts by 74 runs in Sydney. With the PCB installing a new captain in Shan Masood, they will hope to correct that record.

"I think this is the strongest Pakistan batting lineup coming over" - Usman Khawaja

The 36-year-old also said it would be a challenge to defeat this Pakistan side, labeling their batting unit as the 'strongest' from the country in recent times.

"Pakistan is one of the better teams in the world," Khawaja said. "They have good batting and always have great fast bowlers. Looking at the past teams, I think this is the strongest Pakistan batting lineup coming over. Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in the world. Imam ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique has scored a lot of runs. I am very excited about this challenge."

The visitors will play a four-day practice game from December 6th to 9th, followed by the first Test in Perth which starts on December 14th.