As the T20 World Cup 2024 kicks off, former South African captain AB de Villiers invited Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for an interview on his YouTube channel. The conversation covered various cricketing topics, but it took a sharp turn when a fan mocked Babar Azam’s English. De Villiers, a legend of the Proteas and Royal Challengers Bangalore, was quick to defend Babar and didn’t let the comment slide, responding directly on social media.
During their chat, Babar Azam shared insights into his background and his journey into cricket.
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. We used to be 2 teams and play together. After sometime, 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,
Babar recounted.
Despite being only 29, Babar also touched on the subject of retirement during his discussion with De Villiers.
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. 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 World Cup,
he said.
AB de Villiers’ defense of Babar Azam highlights the camaraderie and respect that transcends national boundaries in the world of cricket.