During the first Eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United on Thursday, Zalmi skipper Babar Azam clapped for a ball-picker who stuck the ball after Alex Hales fired it outdoor the boundary.
As may also be noticed in a brief video clip going viral on Twitter, Babar approached the boundary after the ball used to be hit that facet. In the time that Babar were given there, a tender ball-picker had stuck the ball. Babar, regardless of the heated state of affairs of the fit, took a minute to laud the younger boy, sooner than returning to the pitch.
The ball-picker beamed with pride at receiving acknowledgement from the nationwide facet captain may also be noticed visibly extremely joyful as he walked away.
The shifting scene used to be extensively adored by means of social media customers who liked Babar’s gesture as considered one of true mentorship, whilst one consumer referred to as it “the best moment of PSL 8”.
However, Twitterati used to be fast to indicate that the scene gave the impression all the extra touching since Babar himself had began his cricketing adventure as a ball-picker all over South Africa’s 2007 excursion of Pakistan.
To many tweeps, that scene used to be tantamount to coming complete circle.
One consumer commented: “Best moment of the PSL 8. Babar Azam clap for ball-picker boy who takes a splendid catch outside boundary. 10 years ago Babar was ball-picker when South Africa toured Pakistan. tell me better story & motivation story than this.”
Another tweeted: “Just see the happiness on the face of the young boy when Babar Azam applauded him. Whenever I see Babar near these ball pickers, I remember his childhood when he was himself a ball picker. Does he also remember his childhood when he see them?”
Speaking to PCB media in 2021, Babar recounted the get started of his occupation pronouncing: “My cricket journey started back in 2007. I had a passion for the game but I really wanted to see international stars playing in front of me. At the time, the South African team was here so I asked someone to help me become a ball picker. I used to go daily from Gulberg to Gaddafi Stadium.”
He additional mentioned: “I used to enjoy picking up balls. I remember watching Inzamam-ul-Haq’s farewell innings where he got out before breaking the record of great Javed Miandad. I witnessed it live the way he went back to the dressing room and took his anger out. This journey has been long and tough but I feel blessed to be making my Test captaincy debut against the same team.”
