Pakistani legend and one of the new-age rivals of great cricketer Virat Kohli, Babar Azam has ranked Fab 4 in terms of red-ball cricket. Azam has placed Kohli at third place after Steve Smith and Joe Root.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan as nations always has an impact on the field, as players often treat it as a high-tension match and there is banter and altercation. But time and again, players have made it clear that all these stresses go away once they leave the field.
Off the field, they are all big fans of each other’s sports and have many friends across the border. For example, Harbhajan Singh is considered to be a very good friend of Shahid Afridi despite his on-field disputes with the former Pakistan captain.
Babar Azam is at Fab 4 rank in test cricket
Babar Azam has also shown his admiration towards Indian greats as he has been ranking them objectively during his recent conversation with Code Sports. The Pakistani legend, who is playing his first season in the BBL, has ranked Fab 4 in his recent Test career.
It’s an open secret: Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are long-time rivals in the game of cricket. These two greats are often compared as counterparts by Pakistani analysts and fans; However, it seems inevitable that Kohli will defeat the neighboring star every time.
In his opinion, Steve Smith was at the first position, while Joe Root was at the second position, and Virat was at the third position in this list.
Babar Azam is included in the Fab Four in Test
(via Code Sports/@DanielCherney) pic.twitter.com/M2pGmQOY13
– 7cricket (@7cricket) 15 January 2026
Babar Azam gave number 1 ranking to Virat Kohli. 1 in all formats
Even though Virat Kohli has retired from T20Is as the third highest run-scorer of all time and also bid farewell to his Test career, he still remains a prodigious talent in ODI cricket. After his return, Kohli has been unbeaten in the ODI format.
Babar also considered the Indian star as the greatest cricketer ever, who dominated every format with complete confidence. Joe Root is the only player to play in all formats, while Steve Smith retired from ODIs and Kane Williamson retired from T20Is last year.
In the all-format rankings, Babar tops Virat Kohli and is followed by Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root.
.@babarazam258Their Big Four rankings in all formats are revealed@codesportsau.
1. Virat Kohli
2. Steve Smith
3. Kane Williamson
4. Joe Root+ Pakistani superstar’s views on the rule/calendar change, his long-term goals and the issue with the SCG.https://t.co/01OpeKDUhy pic.twitter.com/gH1epIlkTY
– Daniel Cherney (@DanielCherney) 15 January 2026
Babar Azam is opening with Steve Smith for Sydney Sixers.
Currently, the Pakistani star batsman is playing for Sydney Sixers in the 15th edition of the Big Bash League. Sixers is the home franchise of Steve Smith, who is from Sydney, Australia.
Steve Smith finished the Ashes campaign against Australia, leading Australia to three wins out of four as captain of the team, and immediately returned to feature for the Sydney Sixers in a BBL match against the Hobart Hurricanes. Babar opened the innings with the experienced Australian.
Steve Smith is not part of Australia’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad, but he is keen to continue playing in the format with an eye on the 2028 LA Olympics.
Also read: Virat Kohli faces security threat during LIVE ODI match in Rajkot!
