Kane Williamson may have only just arrived for his stint with Karachi Kings, but he’s already made headlines — and for all the right reasons.
In a refreshing and heartfelt interview with a local sports platform, the former New Zealand captain opened up about the Pakistani cricketers who have impressed him over the years. And no surprise here — at the top of his list stands the ever-elegant Babar Azam.
“A Beautiful Player to Watch”
You could almost see the admiration on Williamson’s face when he spoke about Babar.
“I’ve always enjoyed watching Babar bat. He’s an amazing player, and a beautiful player to watch,” he shared warmly. “He’s one that I’ve always enjoyed.”
High praise, especially coming from someone who’s widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted batters of his generation.
Though he mentioned he’s only been in Pakistan for a couple of days, Williamson’s words made it clear: Babar Azam’s class isn’t something you need weeks to notice — it’s evident from the first ball.
On the Strike Rate Debate: A Voice of Reason
Of course, no discussion about Pakistan cricket these days is complete without touching on the hot-button topic — strike rates.
Both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been under the microscope for their so-called “low strike rates” in T20 cricket. But Kane Williamson, with the calmness and wisdom he’s known for, offered a different, much-needed perspective.
“It’s all about what the team requires and trying to win games for your team,” he said.
In other words, context matters. Big time.
Pointing to the PSL’s variety of scores — from high-scoring thrillers touching 230 to low-grind matches around 130 — he emphasized the need for adaptability.
“Whether it’s scoring quickly on some days or playing more conservatively, as long as it’s geared towards winning games for your side, that’s what’s important,” Williamson explained.
Read More: Liverpool Crowned Premier League Champions in Style!
Fast Bowlers: Pakistan’s Timeless Strength
Kane Williamson didn’t just stop at Babar and Rizwan. The conversation naturally shifted to Pakistan’s rich legacy of fast bowling — a tradition that continues to thrive today.
“Pakistan has always had great depth in fast bowlers, which has been a strength of their cricket,” he pointed out, nodding to an endless line of quicks who have terrified batters across generations.
When asked to name standouts, Kane had two names ready without missing a beat — Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
“Shaheen has been incredible, especially with the new ball,” he said, highlighting the left-arm pacer’s ability to swing the ball dangerously early on.
As for Haris, Williamson was just as complimentary: “He’s been a fantastic performer for Pakistan for a long time.”
In a world where competitive cricket often gets wrapped up in mind games and trash talk, it’s genuinely refreshing to see one world-class player speaking so openly and respectfully about his peers.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates