Legendary West Indies cricketer and Quetta Gladiators mentor Sir Vivian Richards has weighed in on the ongoing debate around Babar Azam being called “King,” backing the former Pakistan captain despite his recent dip in form.
While Babar Azam was once seen as the gold standard for emerging Pakistani batters, his current run has left fans and critics questioning the crown.
Since his 151 against Nepal in August 2023, Babar has failed to score a century across formats in international cricket.
The struggles have extended into the ongoing PSL 10, where he’s managed just 49 runs from four matches.
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But Sir Vivian Richards, in an exclusive chat with a local sports platform, came out in full support of the 30-year-old batter.
“No matter how good a batter you are, everyone goes through a rough patch,” Richards said. “Babar is a very good player. I am sure he will get back to form very soon.”
When asked about the title “King Richards” from his own playing days, and the parallels drawn today with Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, the West Indian great gave a thoughtful response.
“A king is one who rules over all,” he said. “When you watch players like Kohli and Babar, they appear to do justice to the game of cricket.”
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Richards expressed hope that both stars — and the next generation — continue playing with the same grace and class.
“I hope both of them, and other young players, continue to play in this way,” he added.
Touching on Pakistan cricket’s broader challenges, Richards acknowledged the slump but sounded optimistic about the future.
“Bad times come to everyone. I am confident that Pakistan will once again become a good team,” he said. “I have always felt that Pakistan has been gifted with great cricketers and immense talent. All we can hope is that with time, this talent continues to shine.”
