'When I met my idol AB de Villiers' - Babar Azam reveals his best memories in PSL

Pakistan star cricketer Babar Azam has opened up about his most cherished memories in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Babar stated that his first meeting with cricketing idol AB de Villiers was his favorite moment in the tournament, adding that the encounter was a valuable learning experience.

Babar Azam described AB de Villiers as one of his role models in the past, adding that he tried to emulate de Villiers’ shots. The two cricketers met for the first time during the 2019 edition of the Pakistan Super League in Dubai. Notably, the South African icon represented Lahore Qalandars in the tournament.

The Best Memory Was When I Met My Idol - Babar Azam

Speaking at a press conference, Babar Azam said that his first meeting with AB de Villiers was a valuable learning experience. Babar also mentioned that lifting the PSL trophy with Karachi Kings is one of the high points of his career.

"I played with different franchises. For me, the best memory was when I met my idol. I met AB de Villiers and learned a lot from him. The final we won in Karachi and when I scored the first hundred," Babar said.

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Q: What are your best moments in 9 years of PSL?

"Babar Azam:
- ⭐ Meeting my idol AB de Villiers
- 🏆 Winning the final for Karachi Kings
- 💯 Scoring my first PSL century"#BabarAzam|#PakistanCricket|#HBLPSLX pic.twitter.com/11bZLriSpY

— 𝗙𝗮𝗻✨𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝘇𝗮𝗺 𝗕𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘀🏏 (@Bobi_1A) April 10, 2025

AB de Villiers, who retired from international cricket in May 2018, is regarded as one of South Africa’s finest batters. He excelled across all formats—Tests, ODIs, and especially T20s—with his 360-degree shot-making. De Villiers amassed 9,424 runs in 340 T20 games, featuring four centuries and 69 fifties.

Babar Azam Set to Lead Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2025 Season

Babar is set to play for Peshawar Zalmi in the upcoming PSL 2025 season. Young opener Saim Ayub has returned to the squad after recovering from an ankle fracture suffered during Pakistan’s tour of South Africa earlier this year. Saim is set to open along with Babar in the upcoming T20 tournament.

Peshawar Zalmi reached the second eliminator in the previous PSL season. The team boasts a decent bowling attack, featuring Luke Wood, Mohammad Ali, Nahid Rana, and Alzarri Joseph, along with spinners Sufyan Muqeem and George Linde. Openers and bowlers will be crucial for success in PSL 2025.

Peshawar will open their PSL campaign with a clash against the Quetta Gladiators at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Saturday, April 12.

Babar Azam Last Played for Pakistan During the New Zealand Tour

Babar Azam last played for the Pakistan national cricket team during the three-match ODI series against the New Zealand national cricket team last month. The right-handed batter scored 129 runs in three innings at an impressive average of 43 and a strike rate of 89.58, including two half-centuries.

However, the Men in Green suffered a 0-3 whitewash under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan. It is worth mentioning that Babar and Rizwan were dropped from the Pakistan squad for the five-match T20I series during the same tour. The Salman Ali Agha-led team lost the T20I series by a margin of 1-4.

Also read: Babar Azam's brother breaks silence on star batter's ouster from Pakistan's T20I team