With the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash just around the corner, the spotlight is firmly on Babar Azam, but not for the reasons he would have liked.
The ace Pakistan batter has found himself at the center of a viral storm after being mocked by former teammates Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Amir and Rashid Latif on live television. The clip has spread rapidly across social media, drawing mixed reactions from fans in both countries ahead of Sunday’s much-anticipated encounter.
Babar Azam began Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign with a modest 15 off 18 balls against the Netherlands, leaving many disappointed. However, he responded with a better knock of 46 off 32 balls against the USA. Despite the improvement, questions remain about whether he can deliver in the biggest match of them all, i.e., against India.
During a Pakistani TV show, the former cricketers openly doubted his ability to play a match-winning innings. Ahmed Shehzad jokingly claimed he would arrange food for the entire audience and support staff if Babar Azam single-handedly wins the game. Mohammad Amir went a step further, suggesting he would even consider reversing his retirement if Babar scores more than 50 runs at a strike rate above 150. The show’s host and panel continued the banter, agreeing that only an aggressive, high-impact innings would silence critics. Rashid Latif added another sarcastic remark, questioning whether Babar would even stay at the crease long enough.
Here is the video:
https://x.com/sarkarstix/status/2021561008091955563
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Statistics add context to the debate. In five T20Is against India, Babar Azam has scored 105 runs at an average of 26.25 and a strike rate of 128, numbers many believe must improve if Pakistan hope to win.
Now, all eyes are on Babar Azam. Can he answer his critics when it matters the most?
