Babar Azam Backs Abdul Samad, Ali Raza for Pakistan
With Babar Azam's backing, Abdul Samad and Ali Raza are poised to take their careers to the next level, and their development will be closely watched by fans and selectors alike, as they aim to become key players for Pakistan in the future, following the likes of their captain who has been a shining example of talent and dedication.
Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam has expressed his support for emerging talents Abdul Samad and Ali Raza, considering them potential future prospects for the Pakistan national side, citing their impressive performances in the PSL 10.
Abdul Samad, 27, has shown promise in his T20I debut against New Zealand, but struggled for consistency, with a strike rate of 113.79 and average of 16.50 in the series. However, in the PSL 10, Samad has scored 44 runs at a strike rate of 200 in four matches, demonstrating his potential for big hits. Babar Azam believes that Samad needs to improve himself for international cricket, but has the potential to represent Pakistan at the highest level.
Ali Raza, 17, has emerged as a breakout performer in PSL 10, claiming nine wickets in seven matches with an average of 24.11 and economy rate of 8.03. Babar Azam praised Raza as a special talent, stating that he will be ready for international cricket with time and gradual development. The endorsement from Azam signals that Peshawar Zalmi's youth development pipeline is strong and aligned with national aspirations.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released the schedule for the remaining matches of PSL 10, with the league resuming on May 17. The upcoming matches will provide further opportunities for Abdul Samad and Ali Raza to showcase their skills and potentially catch the attention of national selectors, as they strive to follow in the footsteps of their captain, Babar Azam, and represent Pakistan on the international stage.