Babar Azam's father responds to Mohammad Asif's denigrating statement for his son

Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s father Azam Siddiqui responded to a statement by former Pakistan seamer Mohammad Asif who claimed that he can bowl a maiden over to Babar Azam even today. The former Pakistan bowler had even justified his statement by saying that the Pakistan star can’t hit the ball if one bowls good deliveries at him.

Asif’s comment has attracted a response from Babar’s father who clarified that his son had played a maiden over out of respect against Asif during his U16 days as the Pakistan seamer had asked the management to select him during ZTBL trials having seen him play before. He also urged the fans to not go overboard with their statements for Asif and requested to not verbally attack him.

Babar Azam father Azam Siddiqui's heartfelt note and response to Mohammad Asif's statement ♥️♥️

- Babar Azam scored 84 runs and hit 11 fours against Mohammad Asif's team when he was playing U16 cricket
- Babar was disappointed as Asif said something to him after getting him out… pic.twitter.com/QIEguaQju8

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) September 24, 2023

"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.

Notably, Mohammad Asif represented Pakistan in 23 Tests, 38 ODIs and 11 T20Is picking 165 wickets across all three formats. The right-arm seamer was touted as one of the most lethal bowlers to ever grace the cricket pitch. However, his talent went wasted with his career coming to an abrupt end following involvement in the spot-fixing scandal during Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010.

Pakistan to face New Zealand and Australia in Warm up games for World Cup 2023

Meanwhile, Pakistan will head into the World Cup 2023 next scheduled to begin in India from October 05. The Babar-Azam-led side will start their campaign with a warm-up fixtures against New Zealand on September 29 and against Australia on September 03. Following that, they will start their league fixtures with a game against the Netherlands on October 06 in Hyderabad