Azam Siddique revealed how he persuaded his son Babar Azam to play in the 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL) instead of the Global T20 Canada (GT20), despite the hotter conditions and heavier workload in the former.
One of the 13 Pakistani players to feature in the 2023 LPL, Babar is arguably the most prominent overseas player this season. This is his first stint in the league, where he is representing Colombo Strikers.
However, he could have given the LPL a miss entirely and played in the financially viable Global T20 Canada instead, but for the persuasive powers of his father. In an Instagram post, Azam Sr revealed how his son had been determined to play in the third edition of the GT20, as the two-week tournament offered better pay and is being held in cooler conditions.
The GT20 final is on August 6, while the LPL runs from July 30 to August 20. It would have been difficult for Babar to participate in both.
And while the temperature in Galle and Pallekele ranges from 29°C and 32°C during this period, the humidity is an uncomfortable 85 percent. Ontario, which is currently hosting the GT20, sees temperatures between 24°C and 26°C in July and August.
However, keeping in mind Pakistan’s upcoming international schedule, which includes the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the World Cup in India, Azam Siddique was convinced that playing on spin-friendly wickets would aid Babar more.
He mentioned a conversation he had with Babar about picking the LPL instead, and how the cricketer was “prepared to do everything for the country.”
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“Salaam [Hello] Pakistan, Babar told me during the Sri Lanka Test series that he would be receiving the same amount of money for the Global T20 Canada league, which is for 10 [16] days, and the Colombo League [Lanka Premier League], which is for 25 days. The weather in Canada would also be very good, while it is intensely hot in Sri Lanka.
“I suggested playing the Sri Lanka League, also mentioning that the Asia Cup would also be held in the country. Pakistan could also play Afghanistan in Sri Lanka as well, and the experience of handling difficult wickets will also help in the World Cup.”
He added that the more “tempting” offer in Canada and the testing Sri Lankan weather were enough for Babar to back out: “Those ten days of playing in the best weather and then ten days of rest at home are tempting, but he was prepared to do everything for the country. During a match recently in Sri Lanka, he had to sit and rest twice and he could not breathe properly in the heat.
“All I want to say is that no matter what we do, it should be for Pakistan. Long live Pakistan!”
