'I probably underestimated Babar Azam's ability' - Dale Steyn heaps praise on the Pakistan batsman

Babar Azam is one of the most talented players who has come out of Pakistan in recent times. The right-handed batsman averages above 50 in both ODIs and T20Is. Azam was playing some really impressive cricket for the past couple of years in the white-ball format but last year he stepped up his game in the Test matches.

He has a had a prolific run in the last year in red-ball cricket. During Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in 2018-19, Babar Azam had played some brilliant knocks where he took on the players like Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada.

Dale Steyn says he enjoyed the battle against Babar Azam

Steyn praised the innings which Babar Azam played in the Newlands Ground in Cape Town in January 2019. In the second innings, he scored 72 runs off just 87 balls. During this innings, Azam stroked 15 fours and played a superb inning even though his team was going down. Steyn revealed his underestimated the ability of the Pakistan batsman and bowled some balls which he scored runs off.

“I love the fact that Babar came out and played with that aggressive mindset. I know I bowled like five half-volleys in a row to give him that opportunity to get onto that role. I think I probably underestimated his ability,” said Steyn while speaking to Cricket Pakistan. “He had a couple of great drives. I thought I would send it wider but he was able to get on top of that as well.”

Steyn further said that he enjoyed the battle with Azam and looking forward to the next time they face off. He said that innings have been the stepping stone for Babar.

“He has now gone on to make a billion runs since then. He used that as the stepping stone because he had taken on a bowler who in his eyes was one of the best. That is awesome. It is nice that there is a cat and mouse thing with everyone. When we face off next time, it is going to be back to zero. The past won’t matter. It’s really nice that he has gone on to be as good as he is,” he added.