Kane Williamson Names Babar Azam as His Favorite Pakistani Cricketer, Praises Shaheen and Haris

Islamabad: Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has declared Babar Azam as his favorite Pakistani cricketer. In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Williamson expressed admiration for Babar’s elegant batting style, stating that he has always enjoyed watching him play. “Babar is a wonderful batter and presents a beautiful display of cricket,” he said.
Williamson also heaped praise on Pakistan’s rich legacy of fast bowling, particularly highlighting Shaheen Afridi’s impressive performances with the new ball. “Pakistan has always had an abundance of quality fast bowlers, and that tradition continues,” he added.
Reflecting on New Zealand’s performance in ICC tournaments, Williamson said that while they have reached strong positions in many matches and even finals, they haven’t always been able to cross the finish line. “You move forward from those experiences,” he remarked.
Speaking about the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, Williamson acknowledged the significance of the tournament and said their goal had been to win it, though they fell short. He added, “Now, the next goal is the Pakistan Super League (PSL).”
On his commentary stint during the Indian Premier League (IPL), Williamson described it as a refreshing experience. “It was nice to try something different while still being connected to the game I love,” he said.
When asked about criticism regarding the strike rates of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Williamson defended them by emphasizing the importance of adapting to different match situations. “In PSL 10, we saw scores close to 230 in some matches and around 130–140 in others. You have to adjust accordingly,” he explained.
Discussing the upcoming PSL season, Williamson mentioned that reaching the final is the target for Karachi Kings. “I’ve heard a lot about the PSL from friends like Luke Ronchi. Although prior commitments and fitness delayed my arrival, I’m excited to be part of it now,” he concluded.