Babar Azam has already surpassed me in many ways: Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara, the former Sri Lanka cricketer, has lavished praises on Babar Azam, saying that the Pakistan batsman falls in the league of the likes of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Joe Root. Babar is now plying his trade for the Karachi Kings in the 2020 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Sangakkara, who led the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on their tour of Pakistan, stated that the Lahore, Punjab-born batsman has even toppled him from a number of aspects. The veteran reckons that Babar has room for improvement and should try and become the best version of himself in the future.

Babar Azam is a very special player: Kumar Sangakkara

“I have watched Babar Azam for a long time. I actually played with him for Karachi Kings. He is an exceptional player, one of the best in the world, in terms of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Joe Root. He seems to adapt to every format very easily, he is a very special player,” Sangakkara was quoted as saying in an interview with Cricket Pakistan.

“I think Babar Azam has already surpassed me in many ways. His aim should be to become Babar Azam, The best Babar Azam possible,” he added.

Babar is currently the ICC’s number-one T20I batsman and that showed in the Kings’ opening match against last year’s finalists Peshawar Zalmi. At the National Stadium in Karachi, the youngster turned out to be the Player of the Match. He scored 78 runs off 56 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

When he was ran out by Rahat Ali and Tom Banton, the Kings were in a dominating position with their score at 170 for three in 17.5 overs. It was his stand of 97 runs with Imad Wasim, who scored 50 off 30, that helped the home team amass a significant 201 for four in their 20 overs.

Babar’s efforts didn’t go in vain as the Kings emerged victorious by 10 runs to register first points in the tournament. Karachi are next scheduled to lock horns with defending champions, Quetta Gladiators, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, in the first of Sunday’s doubleheader in the PSL.