Steve Smith: “Babar Azam is a wonderful player. When he’s timing the ball, it’s beautiful”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Australia batsman Steve Smith has praised Pakistan star Babar Azam, describing him as a “wonderful player”.
Smith added that when Azam times the ball, he strikes it beautifully – an attribute that has been widely noted by others as well.
His remarks come after the two played together for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL).
“Babar Azam is a wonderful player. When he’s timing the ball, it’s beautiful,” he was quoted as saying by journalist Farid Khan on X.
Azam recently captained the Peshawar Zalmi in the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL) and led them to the title.
In addition to lifting the trophy, the 31-year-old was the highest run-scorer in the tournament with 588 runs in 11 games, which included two centuries and three fifties, at an average of 73.50 and a strike-rate of 145.90.
He then represented Pakistan in their two-Test series against Bangladesh, but missed the 1st Test in Mirpur with a left knee injury.
Azam returned for the 2nd Test in Sylhet and posted scores of 68 and 47.
Next up for him will be Pakistan’s three-match ODI series against Australia, which will take place in Rawalpindi and Lahore from May 30 to June 4.
Pakistan Squad for Australia ODI Series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim