The 42-year-old claimed that Babar’s aim should be to become the best version of himself

Sri Lanka’s legendary former batsman Kumar Sangakkara, in an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan on Saturday, claimed that

Pakistan’s prolific batsman Babar Azam had already surpassed him as a player, in many ways, in international cricket.

The 42-year-old, who recently captained the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC’s) side on their recent tour to Pakistan, claimed that Babar’s aim should be to become the best version of himself.

“I have watched Babar Azam for a long time. I actually played with him for Karachi Kings. He is an exceptional player, one of the best in the world, in terms of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Joe Root. He seems to adapt to every format very easily, he is a very special player,” Sangakkara said. “I think Babar Azam has already surpassed me in many ways. His aim should be to become Babar Azam, The best Babar Azam possible.”

The legendary former batsman stated that the MCC team had a great time on their recent tour and praised the hospitality of the people of Pakistan.

“We have had a great time [in Pakistan]. The hospitality has been outstanding. That is what I have always remembered. To be able to come back here and experience that again, to be able to play great cricket, to feel safe and then also to go around Lahore, everyone has been so nice to us. They have been so welcoming and passionate for the sport. I think it has been a great experience,” he said.

Sangakkara was hopeful that the MCC tour would pave the way for future tours of Pakistan by international teams.

“I think the impact, hopefully, will be from the statements and interviews that we have given along with our personal experience that will be communicated to others in the cricketing world. This will go towards supporting and strengthening the confidence of other sides. Hopefully international sides such as New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa will come and play here,” he said. “The message is very clear in terms of how we toured the country. That message will definitely get back. When boards and teams are making their decisions, our tour will definitely come into play.”

Sangakkara named Pakistan’s fast-bowler Wasim Akram as the toughest bowler he had to face while acknowledging other bowlers who had a tremendous impact.

“I faced quite a lot tough bowlers of Pakistan. Wasim Akram probably has to be the toughest. Then there is Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed they were amazing. Saeed Ajmal was also extremely difficult to play. Mohammad Asif was an outstanding fast-bowler,” he concluded.