SL legend heaps praise on Babar Azam, calls him 'number one batter' following his maiden LPL fifty

Babar Azam in LPL 2023 (Source- Twitter)

Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam, has received high praise from Chaminda Vaas for his maiden Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 fifty. Babar is playing for Colombo Strikers in the LPL 2023, while Vaas is the bowling coach of the same side. He scored 59 runs from 52 balls.

The former Sri Lanka legend Vaas also talked about why Babar is not captaining the Strikers as Niroshan Dickwella is leading the side. Although the Colombo-based side lost the opening game of the third edition of LPL, they clinched their maiden victory of the season by beating B-Love Kandy by 27 runs in the next game. The former left-arm pacer also claimed Babar to be the No. 1 batter in the world.

Chaminda Vaas talked about Babar Azam's presence in the squad

“Babar wanted to play just as a batter and we respected his decision. Niroshan Dickwella is our captain. If you take Babar Azam, we all know that he’s the number one batsman in the world and the way he performs and contributes to the team is amazing,” Vaas said while speaking to Hindustan Times

“All the youngsters can learn so much from him. I’m so excited to see him play in the Lanka Premier League. Apart from him, there is Naseem Shah. A top bowler in the world, and working with him alongside (Matheesha) Pathirana is great,” he further added.

Speaking of LPL 2023, Galle Titan is currently ranked at the top of the table after back-to-back wins in the season. Strikers are placed in the third spot after one win in two games they played. Wanindu Hasaranga-led Kandy is at the bottom of the table after consecutive losses in this edition.

“The tournament will improve Gradually. This is only the third edition. You need to have competitive cricketers from various countries like Babar Azam and Naseem Shah. There are also a few coming from Australia and a few from South Africa like David Miller,” said the former Sri Lankan pacer on the LPL.

Babar Azam is currently playing in his debut LPL season for the Strikers. In his first game, he was dismissed on seven runs from eight balls, but he bounced back and scored a magnificent fifty to win the game for his side. Now Strikers will be up against Dambulla Aura for the eighth match of the season at Pallekele in the LPL 2023.