Azam Siddique, Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s father, recently shared a heartwarming story about how he influenced his son Babar Azam’s decision to participate in the 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL) rather than the Global T20 Canada (GT20) league.
Despite the challenging weather and demanding schedule of the LPL, Babar, one of the thirteen Pakistani players in the league, chose to represent Colombo Strikers, making him a standout overseas player this season.
It wasn’t an easy decision for Babar, as he was initially drawn to the financial benefits and more comfortable playing conditions offered by the GT20 Canada league in Canada. However, Azam’s father took to Instagram to disclose how he used his persuasive skills to convince his determined son to opt for the LPL experience instead.
The scheduling conflict between the GT20 final on August 6 and the LPL running from July 30 to August 20 would have made it logistically challenging for Babar Azam to participate in both leagues.
Moreover, considering the weather conditions in Galle and Pallekele, where the LPL takes place, with temperatures ranging from 29°C to 32°C and high humidity at 85 percent, it indeed presents a more physically demanding environment compared to Ontario, where the GT20 is hosted, with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 26°C during July and August.
With these factors in mind, Azam Siddique’s influence and persuasive efforts in encouraging Babar to opt for the LPL over the GT20 showcase the father’s dedication and support towards his son’s cricketing journey, as he takes on the challenge of playing in the Sri Lankan league.
Azam Siddique’s decision to encourage Babar Azam to participate in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) over the Global T20 Canada (GT20) was influenced not only by the weather and workload considerations but also with an eye on Pakistan’s upcoming international schedule.
The Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the World Cup in India are crucial events for Pakistan, and playing on spin-friendly wickets in the LPL could prove beneficial for Babar’s preparation and performance in these tournaments.
In a post shared on his Instagram account, Azam Siddique said, “Hello Pakistan, Babar said to me when the Sri Lanka tour was going on, that he has received same amount of offer to play in the Global T20 Canada league that will be played for 16 days and the Lanka Premier League which will be played for 25 days. He also said the weather will be much cooler in Canada than Sri Lanka.”
“However, I told him to instead play in the Sri Lankan league, keeping in mind the upcoming Asia Cup and Afghanistan series that will be played in Sri Lanka too. His experience in Sri Lanka will also help him in the World Cup in India,” further added Babar Azam’s father.
Azam Siddique also recounted a recent match experience in Sri Lanka, where the intense heat made it difficult for Babar to perform at his best, requiring him to rest twice during the game and facing difficulties in breathing.
In the end, Azam Siddique emphasized the importance of all actions being done with Pakistan’s best interests at heart. The father’s heartfelt message underscores the pride and love for the nation and the belief that putting Pakistan first will lead to its prosperity and success.
So far in the Lanka Premier League 2023, Babar Azam has played 2 matches and has scored 7 runs in 8 balls in the first match and then 59 runs in 52 balls.
