Sangakkara inspires 8-year-old Pakistani girl
“I didn’t even know how to hold a bat when I was your age”
He is my hero. I am also a lefthand batter like him and I love to hit cover drives. The kind words from the legendary man will surely inspire me
After a batting video of Samia Afsar, an eight year old Class V student in Lahore became viral, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara sent a special message to the girl.
“The future of batting is in great hands I think. Inspirational to see these young players,” Sangakkara, who is also the MCC President, motivated the girl via twitter.
“Again looks an incredible talent. Poise, balance, hand eye, co-ordination everything to love about a batter. I didn’t even know how to hold a bat when I was that age,” Sangakkara sent another message.
Reacting to Sangakkara’s words, Afsar, speaking exclusively over telephone from Lahore on Friday said, “I was hardly three years old when this great batsman last played for his country and did not watch him play live but yes, after getting a few messages from him I have become his ardent fan and have been watching videos of his matches.”
“He is my hero. I am also a left-hand batter like him and I love to hit cover drives.”
“The kind words from the legendary man will surely inspire me,” she added.
The girl is also a fan of Babar Azam. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) organised a special video call between limited-overs captain Azam, who is now in England with the national team for next month’s bilateral series against England and Afsar.
“I am your biggest fan and like you, I want to represent the country and play for the women’s team,” she told him.
“I showed him (Azam) an art work I made for him,” the girl added. Babar did acknowledge the fact that fans motivate the team to do better.