'Whatever We Do, It Should Be For Pakistan': Babar Azam’s Father Explains Why His Son Picked LPL Over GT20 Canada

Babar Azam's father Azam Siddique explained the rationale behind Babar's decision to choose LPL over GT20, revealing how it was in the best interest of his country.

Soon after the conclusion of Pakistan's Test series against Sri Lanka, Babar Azam stayed back in the island nation for Lanka Premier League (LPL). While the Pakistan captain had the option of playing in the Global T20 (GT20) Canada or the LPL, he choose the latter. And now taking to social media, his father Azam Siddique explained the rationale behind Babar's decision to choose LPL over GT20. He said that even though both offered him the same money, GT20 was less of a work commitment in better weather conditions.

Babar Azam's father further explained that while it would have been easier for his son to give into the temptation of playing in Canada which would also allowed him a break after the league, he chose to remain in Sri Lanka to get used to the humidity and pitches as it would be the country that will host Asia Cup matches including Pakistan's match against India.

"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 wrote.

"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," he concluded.

Meanwhile, other than the India vs Pakistan match on September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, there could be two more matches between the arch-rivals in the Asia Cup 2023 which will be played in the ODI format. If both teams qualify for Super 4s, they will meet on September 10 in Colombo and if both reach the finals, they will lock horns once again Colombo on September 17.