• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 06/02/2024
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As the T20 World Cup 2024 kicks off, cricket enthusiasts are abuzz with excitement and discussions. Among the notable events leading up to the tournament was an interview conducted by former South Africa captain AB de Villiers with Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on his YouTube channel. The conversation covered various on-field topics and provided insights into Babar’s journey in cricket. However, the session took an unexpected turn when a fan attempted to mock Babar’s English, prompting de Villiers’s swift and firm response.

Babar Azam’s Humble Beginnings

During the YouTube interview, a viewer left a comment ridiculing Babar Azam’s English proficiency, stating, “ABD hardly control his laughing. Babar Azam speaking in English,” accompanied by a series of tears of joy emojis. This derogatory remark caught the attention of de Villiers, who was quick to defend his guest. The former Proteas and Royal Challengers Bangalore legend responded with a powerful retort: “His English is infinitely better than my Urdu. And his batting is excellent, which is what matters more, I believe.”

In the interview, Babar Azam shared personal stories about his upbringing and his initial steps into the world of cricket. He revealed that his family’s support was crucial, especially during the early days when financial resources were limited. “My family played a big role because, when I started out, we did not have a lot of money. We were not like a rich family. When I started out, I played state cricket and played tennis ball cricket and tape-ball cricket every Saturday night,” Babar recounted.

The journey was far from easy. Babar detailed how his father supported his ambition to pursue professional cricket, despite the challenges. “After some time, I told my father I wanted to start professional cricket, so he said ok, let us do it. So it was very difficult when I began my professional cricket journey,” he added.

Looking Ahead: Babar Azam on His Future

Despite being only 29 years old, Babar Azam also touched on the subject of retirement during his conversation with de Villiers. He emphasized that he is focused on the present and enjoying his game without worrying about the future. “I am just taking one day at a time, I am not thinking where I am going, or which age I would stop myself. Right now, I am just playing my own game and I enjoy my every single time. I just love to play cricket,” he said.

Babar expressed his enthusiasm and confidence ahead of the World Cup, underscoring the Pakistani squad’s high hopes and strong team spirit. “Yes, we are going for the World Cup and the hope is very high. The confidence is very high and we have a good team, we have good players. Good batters and senior players have stepped up and this helps a lot. We are very excited for the World Cup,” he remarked.

Also read ‘It’s just a shame’ – AB de Villiers on South Africa’s selection quota controversy

The incident highlights an important aspect of sportsmanship and mutual respect. AB de Villiers’ defense of Babar Azam against the troll’s unnecessary comment underscores the value of focusing on a player’s skills rather than their language abilities and promotes a culture of respect and appreciation in the cricketing community. De Villiers’ stance serves as a reminder that while language can be a barrier, the love for the game and mutual respect transcend such differences.

As the T20 World Cup 2024 progresses, fans and players alike can take a cue from de Villiers’ response, celebrating diversity and focusing on the talent and dedication that players like Babar Azam bring to the sport.