Babar Azam names Dale Steyn as the toughest bowler he has faced
By Nawaz Gohar ; Pakistan’s batting maestro Babar Azam has identified South African legendary pacer Dale Steyn as the most formidable challenge he has encountered in his international career.
Babar shared these insights during an appearance on the YouTube channel “The Switch,” hosted by former England captain Kevin Pietersen. Engaging in a “Short Ball Challenge” video, the former Pakistan captain reflected on the evolution of fast bowling and the specific hurdles he faced during his rise to the top of the world rankings.
When asked by Pietersen about the fastest and toughest bowlers he has faced, Babar noted that while modern cricket is filled with bowlers consistently clocking over 150 km/h, Dale Steyn stood in a league of his own. Babar recalled his first tour of South Africa as a career-defining moment. Facing Steyn on his home turf was a “massive test” due to the veteran’s lethal combination of raw pace and late swing.
“Facing Dale Steyn gave me immense confidence,” Babar remarked. “After surviving that spell against one of the world’s fastest and greatest bowlers, I felt I could stand my ground against anyone in the world.”
While Steyn remains his toughest past opponent, Babar also paid tribute to the current generation, specifically praising Kagiso Rabada. He described the South African spearhead as a “complete bowler” across all formats, including Tests and ODIs, noting his consistency and wicket-taking ability.
The interview comes at a time when Babar Azam continues to cement his legacy as one of the most prolific batters in the shortest format of the game. T20I Leading Run-Scorer: He holds the record for the most runs in T20 International history, with 4,429 runs in 136 matches.
Consistency: He maintains an average of 39.54 with a strike rate of 128.45. The Milestone Race: Babar is currently tied with India’s Virat Kohli for the most T20I half-centuries, with both icons having scored 38 fifties. Babar also recently made his debut in the 15th edition of the Big Bash League representing the Sydney Sixers. Over the course of 8 matches, he accumulated 154 runs, including two half-centuries. While his strike rate of 104.05 was lower than his career average, his presence provided a significant boost to the tournament’s global viewership.
