LAHORE: Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam is eager to command Punjab’s caretaker minister Wahab Riaz in the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League.
Babar will represent Peshawar Zalmi for the first time in the PSL, that too as a captain, whereas, left-arm pacer Wahab, who was recently appointed as sports minister in Punjab’s caretaker government, has been spearheading the franchise’s bowling attack since the tournament’s inception in 2016.
Talking to the latest edition of the PCB podcast Babar had a funny take at Wahab playing alongside him for the Zalmi besides being an office-bearer in Punjab’s interim government.
“I’m very excited,” he said on leading the provincial minister in PSL season 8. “We’ll try to go along well but it will be imperative to keep a tight rein on the minister” he quipped on a lighter note.
Meanwhile, Babar, who has the most runs (2,413) in the tournament’s history also offered his gratitude to his previous PSL franchise Karachi Kings, especially the President and CEO ARY Digital Network Mr. Salman Iqbal for supporting him throughout his PSL journey.
“I want to thank Karachi here for supporting me and making me play for the past six years especially Salman Bhai helped me a lot,” he expressed.
He added: “Every HBL PSL edition is super exciting for me because of its competitive nature. There is a different challenge each year as the players with whom you share the Pakistan dressing room all year become your opponents.
“A new franchise, and a new season, this HBL PSL edition holds added significance for me and I am looking forward to making a good start in this journey.
“Sharing the dressing room with different players throughout – one season with Islamabad United and six seasons with Karachi Kings – has helped me a lot. You learn a great deal when you interact with other players, getting to know about their mindset, training regime and the way they handle different situations.
“It is a dream for me to score a century in the HBL PSL as I already have two T20I centuries and a few more in different leagues. I am positive about achieving the three-figure mark in this HBL PSL, and hoping the right time comes soon for a big score.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Super League season 8 will take place from February 13 to March 19 in Multan, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
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