Babar Azam’s Father Wrote An Open Letter To Mohammad Asif-TGN

In the world of cricket, controversies often arise like a storm in a teacup, captivating the attention of fans and pundits alike. One such incident unfolded recently when former Pakistan seamer Mohammad Asif made a bold claim that he could bowl a maiden over to Pakistan’s star batsman, Babar Azam, even today. This audacious statement sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, but it also prompted a dignified response from an unexpected source—Babar Azam’s father, Azam Siddiqui.

The controversy began when Mohammad Asif, who had represented Pakistan in 23 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 11 T20Is, decided to throw down the gauntlet. He boldly asserted that he could bowl a maiden over to Babar Azam, a batsman renowned for his impeccable skills and consistency. Asif’s justification for this assertion was simple: he believed that Babar Azam struggled against quality deliveries and couldn’t cope with good bowling.

“I selected Babar Azam in the trials after he faced two balls only, you can ask his father that I picked Babar in ZTBL trials. I rate highly, he is one of the best batters in the country but he plays dots in the power-play and puts pressure on Rizwan. I can bowl a maiden over to Babar Azam in T20 cricket even today, he cannot hit the ball if you bowl good deliveries to him,” Asif had said in an X space.

Babar Azam’s Father Responds To Mohammed Asif’s Bowling Challenge

However, before the cricketing world could react, Babar Azam’s father, Azam Siddiqui, stepped in to provide a different perspective on this matter. He offered insight into a moment from Babar’s formative years as a cricketer—a moment that painted a more nuanced picture of his son’s abilities.

Azam Siddiqui recalled an incident during Babar’s Under-16 days when Mohammad Asif was present. During the ZTBL trials, Asif had observed Babar’s talent firsthand and was so impressed that he advocated for Babar’s inclusion in the team. Azam Siddiqui made it clear that Babar Azam had played a maiden over out of respect for Asif, who had supported his selection during those trials.

To understand the significance of Mohammad Asif’s statement, it’s essential to recognize his remarkable cricketing journey. Asif was hailed as one of the most talented and lethal bowlers to have ever graced the cricket pitch. His ability to swing the ball both ways and extract movement off the seam made him a formidable opponent for any batsman.

However, Asif’s promising career took a tragic turn when he became embroiled in the infamous spot-fixing scandal during Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010. This scandal led to a ban on Asif, effectively ending his international career at its peak. It was a loss not only for Pakistan but for cricket enthusiasts worldwide who had witnessed his extraordinary skill and finesse on the field.

As the cricketing world reminisces about Mohammad Asif’s glory days and contemplates the significance of his challenge to Babar Azam, Pakistan’s national cricket team is gearing up for the highly anticipated World Cup 2023. Scheduled to begin in India from October 5th, this tournament promises to be a showcase of cricketing excellence.

Under the leadership of Captain Babar Azam, Pakistan is set to embark on this cricketing journey with determination and a quest for success. The team will kick off their preparations with warm-up fixtures against New Zealand on September 29th and Australia on September 3rd. These matches will serve as crucial opportunities to fine-tune their skills and strategies.

Following the warm-up fixtures, Pakistan will enter the league stage of the tournament with a game against the Netherlands on October 6th in Hyderabad. The challenges and opportunities that lie ahead are sure to captivate cricket enthusiasts around the world.