LAHORE: After Pakistan won the three-match ODI series, Australia’s white-ball skipper Aaron Finch praised national team captain Babar Azam, saying that he would love to see him play in the Big Bash League (BBL).
“I just asked Babar Azam if he’s interested in coming and playing for the Melbourne Renegades and he certainly is – and, hopefully, we can announce that signing soon!” the right-handed batter said.
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Following deep breaths all round, the Australian captain and long-time Renegade then grinned: “Only joking.” He further said, “It would be great to have more world-class players in our domestic competition.”
“Babar is obviously as good as anyone for a long time in this format of the game and T20 cricket,” he added, after suffering the Pakistan captain’s second successive matchwinning century – a series-clinching 105 not out – in the space of three days.
“We also talked about Shaheen’s strength … he’s a fantastic bowler,” added Finch, referring to Pakistan’s devastating left-arm paceman.
Talking about Pakistani cricket, Finch said the talent is extraordinary and “world cricket is better when Pakistanis have the opportunity to play in our domestic leagues.”
Haris Rauf, who trapped Finch lbw for a duck on Saturday, has already become a Big Bash fan favourite with the Melbourne Stars but Babar, the world’s top-ranked batter in both ODIs and T20Is, would be the real big catch.
“If Babar Azam is available to play Big Bash, any team would love to have him,” enthused Finch, after his captain counterpart sealed the player of the series award.
“Any of the Pakistan guys, we love having them as part of our competition. Any opportunity that they can fit into out comp is fantastic and they’ll always be welcome in the Big Bash,” he added.
Finch himself sounded as if he wouldn’t be averse to going in the other direction and playing in the Pakistan Super League T20 competition.
“It all comes down to waiting until the schedules are released and seeing where there’s gaps in the schedule. I’ve loved my time here in Pakistan and I’ve loved the tour,” said the 35-year-old.
Pakistan had won the first ODI series against Australia in 20 years on Saturday in Lahore. Babar smashed his second successive hundred as Pakistan thrashed Australia by nine wickets in the final one-dayer to claim a 2-1 series victory.
The foundation of the win was laid by Pakistan’s fiery pace trio of Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim and Shaheen Afridi who bundled out Australia for 210 inside 42 overs.
