Virat Kohli's Unmatched Popularity in Pakistan: A Global Icon

Virat Kohli's Unparalleled Popularity in Pakistan: A Testament to His Global Stardom

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has expressed his astonishment at the immense love and admiration that Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli enjoys among Pakistani fans. Despite not having played in Pakistan for over a decade, Kohli's fan base in the country remains unwavering and continues to grow.

Latif draws parallels between Kohli's popularity and that of legendary figures like Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. He believes that Kohli commands a level of respect on par with cricket greats like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, as well as Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.

"Virat's popularity in Pakistan is on par with Dilip sahab, Mr. Bachchan, and Shah Rukh," Latif said. "Like in India, you guys loved our bowlers – Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar became household names. Here in Pakistan, we adored Gavaskar sahab, Tendulkar, then Dhoni and now Kohli – they are all icons."

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, who has played against Kohli, echoed Latif's sentiments. He believes that if India were to play a match in Pakistan, Kohli alone would attract a massive crowd.

"The day Virat plays in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, or Multan, only then you guys will understand his craze in Pakistan," Ali said. "The stadium will be filled with green jerseys, but the name on the backs won't be Babar Azam or Shaheen Shah Afridi, it will be Virat Kohli's along with his jersey No 18."

As India and Pakistan prepare for their highly anticipated T20 World Cup encounter in New York, the fervor surrounding Kohli continues to grow. His status as a cricketing icon is undeniable, revered by fans on both sides of the border.

Tags: #ViratKohli, #Pakistan, #Cricket, #FanBase, #GlobalStardom