LONDON: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has praised the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for playing a defining role in shaping his professional journey, calling it a “stepping stone” for young cricketers aspiring to break into top-level cricket.
Speaking at the PSL roadshow hosted at Lord’s, Babar reflected on his early years in the league and how sharing the dressing room with global cricket icons transformed both his mindset and skills.
“My journey has been really good, and the experience has been invaluable,” Babar said. “As a youngster in the PSL, my only thought was to learn as much as possible from the world’s top players.”
The former Pakistan captain highlighted the profound impact of interacting with legends of the game. “I shared the dressing room with many big players, and it helped me a lot as a person and as a cricketer,” he added.
Babar recalled observing and seeking advice from established international stars such as Kumar Sangakkara, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and Mahela Jayawardene. “To share a dressing room with them, to watch how they speak and think, and to learn from their experience was a huge boost for me. They have long, successful careers behind them, and there is so much wisdom to absorb.”
He also spoke about meeting his cricketing idol AB de Villiers through the league — a moment he described as a personal milestone. “The PSL allowed me to meet my idol. When AB came to play, I asked him many questions. It was a real fan moment for me.”
Now one of the senior-most figures in Pakistan cricket, Babar emphasized that the PSL continues to be an unmatched platform for grooming young players. “As a youngster, the PSL was my platform. Now, as a senior player, I tell the new generation to treat this league as an opportunity — to grow, to learn, and to develop themselves.”
