Simon Doull has today revealed what he said to Babar Azam in their filmed discussion during the most recent Pakistan Super League.
Doull and Babar shared a lengthy conversation ahead of Peshawar Zalmi’s game against Islamabad United after Doull’s criticism of Babar in T20 cricket had come under the spotlight.
At the time Doull did not publicly reveal what was said between the pair though he said that there was “a lot of respect on both sides” during the conversation.
Doull famously questioned Babar’s approach during his century against Quetta Gladiators, when the Pakistan captain took 16 deliveries to move from 80 to 100, and while his side put up a total 240-2, Doull suggested he should have kept attacking as he approached his milestone. Babar’s Peshawar Zalmi eventually lost the game.
Speaking to journalist Saj Sadiq in a video posted online, Doull said: “I didn’t ask for it [his conversation with Babar] to be filmed, I guess people will take whatever they will from it. I just said to him, ‘Listen, mate. I believe you are the best player in this country. I believe you should be bullying this tournament and you should be owning these bowlers. I think that, at times you are afraid to get out and you shouldn’t ever be afraid to get out. In some cases in your innings, that shows.’
“That was the gist of our whole chat really. I had someone message me yesterday, ‘Quinton de Kock’s slowed down getting to his hundred.’ Did they win? [Yes] If you’re chasing, pacing your innings and you get home and you win there’s never going to be an issue with it, I’ll never have a problem with it. But when you’re setting and you don’t know what is a good score and particularly at that stage at that game [the Peshawar Zalmi-Quetta Gladiators clash], there were so many resources waiting in the wings that you just have to keep going.
“That was the whole crux of the comment. At times it gets blown out of proportion. I’ll never ever hide behind anything that I say. I said it at the time, I stuck by it and I have no issue that I said it.”
Simon Doull “I said to Babar Azam, at times you are afraid to get out and you shouldn’t ever be afraid to get out” #Cricket pic.twitter.com/8heI40LzCQ
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) March 30, 2023
