South African fast-bowling star Kagiso Rabada has praised Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, calling him the “rock” of the national team’s batting order.
Speaking on the Beard Before Podcast hosted by England internationals Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, Rabada shared insights into his cricketing journey while reflecting on the most challenging batters he has faced.
When asked about Babar, Rabada lauded his remarkable consistency and resilience at the crease.
“Babar Azam is a rock, especially for Pakistan. It’s like—how do you get this guy out?” Rabada said.
Rabada has dismissed Babar four times in international cricket—three times in Tests and once in ODIs. Despite this record, the South African pacer acknowledged Babar’s exceptional ability to anchor Pakistan’s batting.
Interestingly, Rabada also admitted that former Australian opener David Warner was among the most difficult players to bowl against.
“Warner was tricky because of his unorthodox style. He cut a lot of balls, and if I pitched short, he punished me instantly. Even though I’ve dismissed him several times, he was extremely tough to bowl to,” Rabada explained.
The 30-year-old speedster further highlighted the elite group of modern-day batting greats—Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson—commonly known as the Fab Four, describing them as some of the toughest batters in world cricket.
With his remarks, Rabada reinforced Babar Azam’s stature as one of the finest batsmen in the game today, admired not only in Pakistan but also by top international cricketers.