DC Exclusive: Father advised Babar Azam to play in LPL

Had there not been any advice from his father, the Pakistani captain Babar Azam would not have been playing the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in Sri Lanka, and instead would have been playing League cricket in Canada.  

Incidentally, Babar Azam scored a century in the LPL on Monday.

Babar Azam had informed his father during the recent bilateral Test series against Sri Lanka that he would love to play in the Canadian League. He informed his father that whatever he would play for ten days in Canada League would be almost the same he would get for playing 25 days in the LPL.      

Confirming the same from London, where he is holidaying, Babar's father, Azam Siddique said, "I had told him to participate in the LPL because the Asia Cup matches and also the three ODIs' against Afghanistan are to be played in Sri Lanka. It would only be wise to play in Sri Lanka (rather than Canada)".  

"Yes, he could have played in Canada for ten days and a rest for another 15 days, however, I convinced him to get acclimatized with the conditions besides getting ready for the bilateral series against Afghanistan team and the Asia Cup to follow".

The 29-year-old Babar was scheduled to lead the Colombo Strikers team but requested the management to appoint a local captain and that's how, Niroshan Dickwella is the captain.

Babar's father, who is to return to Lahore on August 25, does not speak to the media but made an exception this time while speaking to this Reporter.   

About 15 years ago, the captain's father did not have enough money to buy a bat for him but now, Babar Azam earns about 7 crore Pakistani rupees. Hard work always pays off.