KARACHI: Emerging Pakistan batsman Haider Ali has opened up about the comparisons between him and star batsman Babar Azam early in his career.
The 23-year-old made his debut for Pakistan in 2020 and scored a half-century in his debut match, but his career faltered and he ended up as a lower-middle-order batsman. He is currently out of the party.
Speaking to the Islamabad United podcast, the right-handed batsman spoke about the comparisons with Babar as his cover unit was liked by many cricket pundits, including Ian Bishop.
“Babar Azam is a legend and since he got the class he is unmatched, but every batsman has his release shot and I try to play that [cover drive],” Haider said.
He also pointed out the pressure of not being able to live up to people’s expectations.
“I was motivated after playing for the U19s, but when a player turns up for Pakistan, it’s a different kind of pressure.
“Not everyone follows U19 cricket but it’s Pakistan or the Pakistan Super League (PSL), everyone has expectations. At the beginning of my career, I didn’t sleep when I wasn’t able to play,” he added.
Haider also turned off the comments section on his Instagram because people were mocking him.
“In the beginning it affected me, but I realized that there will be people. The one who is in the stadium knows more about the pressure he is dealing with,” he concluded.
Haider is playing for United in the ongoing PSL 9. He played only three innings where he scored 45 runs with a top score of 26*.
Remember, no franchise picked him, but United did in the supplemental draft.
