Babar Azam to keep Punjab interim sports minister Wahab Riaz ‘in check’

Pakistani cricket star and captain Babar Azam made a joke about Wahab Riaz, who is the Caretaker Sports Minister for Punjab and plays for the Peshawar Zalmi team.

Mohsin Naqvi, who is the caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, told the public about the appointment of the left-arm pacer. He will stay in charge until provincial elections are held in Punjab.

The Peshawar Zalmi captain said on the PCB Podcast that he will keep 103, the PSL player who has taken the most wickets, in check during the next season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“I’m happy that Wahab Bhai has become a minister. He has a lot of experience playing Twenty20. But I’ll have to keep an eye on the minister, “chuckled Azam.

“When he bowls, he sometimes gets too excited and loses control of his line. So, I have to give him advice all the time “he added.

Azam has scored the most runs (2,413) in the history of the tournament. This year, he wants to score his first run in the league.

“Because of how competitive it is, every PSL season is very exciting for me. Every year is different because the players you spend all year with in the Pakistan dressing room are now your opponents “he said.

With a new team and a new season, this PSL season is extra important to me, and I’m looking forward to getting off to a good start.

“Sharing the locker room with players from different teams has helped me a lot. I did this for one season with Islamabad United and for six seasons with Karachi Kings. You learn a lot from other players when you talk to them and find out how they think, how they train, and how they handle different situations.”

“I already have two T20I centuries and a few more from other leagues, so getting a century in the PSL would be a dream come true. I’m sure I can get a score in the triple digits in this PSL, and I hope the right time will come soon.”

The opening ceremony for PSL 8 will take place in Multan on February 13, right before the first game between the 2021 winners Multan Sultans and the defending champions Lahore Qalandars. The closing ceremony and final will take place in Lahore on March 19, which is also where the play-offs will take place.