In a surprising and heartwarming twist, South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has called Babar Azam the finest cover drive player in world cricket, earning applause from fans around the globe—especially from Pakistan.

His compliment came during a light-hearted promotional video by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) festivities, where players were asked to name cricketers known for specific signature shots.

When quizzed about the best pull shot, Mulder quickly picked India’s Rohit Sharma. But when the question turned to the most elegant cover drive, he didn’t blink before saying, “Babar Azam,” praising the Pakistani star for his smooth, artistic stroke play. Fans were caught off guard, expecting him to name an Indian legend like Virat Kohli, but Mulder’s pick felt honest and respectful—especially considering the duo’s tense past on the field.

Interestingly, Mulder and Babar have shared a history of heated moments. During Pakistan’s tour of South Africa earlier this year, the two had a visible on-field confrontation when Mulder reacted aggressively to Babar’s dominant batting. The South African was also animated after dismissing Babar in a high-stakes tri-series match. His latest remarks, however, show that true talent transcends rivalry, and class earns respect—even from opponents.

Babar's recent touch, however, has raised fans' eyebrows. Ever since his dominant 151-run innings against Nepal in August 2023, the elegant right-hander has not been able to reach a century across formats. He was elevated to open with Fakhar Zaman for the tri-series ODI against New Zealand and South Africa, but his outputs of 10, 23, and 29 did little to raise expectations.

Despite the slump, the team management backed him in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he managed 64 against New Zealand and 23 against India in the group stage. While he did hit two fifties in the recent ODI series against New Zealand, Babar couldn’t quite steer Pakistan to a series win.