LAHORE: New Zealand’s star batter Kane Williamson has backed Babar Azam’s inclusion in the elite ‘Fab Five’, calling him a world-class batter who consistently delivers for Pakistan.
The term ‘Fab Four’ has long been associated with Virat Kohli (India), Steve Smith (Australia), Joe Root (England), and Kane Williamson (New Zealand)—four of the most consistent batters in modern cricket. However, Babar Azam’s exceptional performances and record-breaking feats have led many cricket experts to advocate for expanding the group to a ‘Fab Five.’
Despite a recent dip in form, with his last international century dating back to August 2023 against Nepal, Babar remains a key player for Pakistan. Williamson dismissed concerns about his performance and reaffirmed his status among the world’s top batters.
“Babar Azam is certainly a part of the ‘Fab Four’ or ‘Fab Five,’ which consists of some of the finest players in the game. He is a world-class batter who consistently delivers for his team,” said Williamson.
Williamson, who scored a match-winning century in New Zealand’s six-wicket victory over South Africa on Monday, also praised his team’s collective effort in handling pressure.
“Our team worked hard, and that effort paid off. Devon Conway played brilliantly, and South Africa put up a strong fight as well,” he remarked.
Commenting on the pitch conditions, Williamson noted that batting became easier under lights, allowing his team to adjust and chase the target efficiently.
“As the evening progressed, the pitch settled, and batting became smoother. We adapted well to the conditions,” he concluded.
