It just took four days for Pakistani cricket fans to overcome the crushing defeat in the men’s T20 World Cup semi-final. They are already gushing over the team and captain Babar Azam. Not for his cricketing skills but for a tweet the skipper wrote in reply to an eight-year-old fan’s letter.
The letter has gone viral on Twitter. Journalist Alina Shigri shared it on the micro-blogging site with the caption — “from a future captain to current captain”.
The letter, in two separate sections, addresses the Pakistani cricket team and its captain Babar Azam, praising their performance. The eight-year-old also expresses the desire to captain Pakistan one day. The fan then goes on to request a list of autographs of all Pakistani players from Azam.
Azam responded to Shigri’s tweet, saying, ” Thank you for such a kind letter for us, champion. I absolutely believe in you and you can achieve anything with your focus, belief, and hardwork. You will get your autographs but I can’t wait to get your autograph future Captain”
Dear Mohammad Haroon Suria,
Salam,
Thank you for such a kind letter for us, champion. I ABSOLUTELY believe in you and you can achieve anything with your focus, belief, and hardwork.
You will get your autographs but I cant wait to get YOUR autograph future Captain. ? https://t.co/FbalPUeBnC
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) November 13, 2021
The tweet went viral in no time, with people praising Azam for giving such a warm response.
once again won the hearts this time off the field
— Hamza ALI (@HamzaAL13452306) November 13, 2021
Pakistanis noted how humble the captain is and praised his off field conduct.
You simply can't hate this man. The world's No.1 ODI and T20 batsman, a brilliant captain and an even better guy! Always humble towards his fan! Babar Azam is the pride of Pakistan! pic.twitter.com/THATOKqsqT
— Asad (@asadfacts) November 13, 2021
We couldn't have had a better captain than you. pic.twitter.com/e22yglumsu
— Ariha Fatimah⁷ Paints (@arihafatimah) November 13, 2021
“King inspiring kids to become kings,” another fan wrote.
KING INSPIRING KIDS TO BECOME KINGS! pic.twitter.com/kPkWyQWQl1
— saad (@yungdirtysanta) November 13, 2021
Can they stop doing such wholesome shit I only have one heart https://t.co/Kzlf1W6l81
— Cha-Sha (@sha54065228) November 13, 2021
A female fan went a step ahead and shared a “nikaah nama” (marriage paper) and said, “send your autograph to me on this paper”.
Mere lye autograph ispr bhej deyn pic.twitter.com/xhN0ecQI9I
— Amna? (@HaqSePrachian) November 13, 2021
Another Twitter user called the captain’s act “classy”.
Captain on the field tou classy hai hi, off the field b aik alag class dikhti hai https://t.co/MBEajxZQf7
— Faheem Syed (@ifaheemsayed) November 13, 2021
Despite the semi-final loss, Babar Azam got praise from former cricketers Michael Vaughan and Wasim Akram for his performances. Shoaib Akhtar had said he was looking forward to see Babar announced as the Man of the Series.
However, there were also those who criticised the Pakistani captain for letting Hasan Ali play the semi-final. Ali had dropped a crucial catch that many believe cost Pakistan the final berth. Babar had come out in support of Ali after the latter was targeted.
(Edited by Anurag Chaubey)