Cricket

Babar Azam's immense popularity among Pakistani cricket fans is undeniable. However, during a recent Champions Cup 2024 match between Stallions and Dolphins, former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed engaged in some light-hearted sledging directed at Babar.As Babar walked out to bat after his team won the toss and elected to bat first, Sarfaraz, who was mentoring the Dolphins franchise, couldn't resist a playful dig. "No hurry, no hurry. Tell them to keep chanting 'Babar, Babar.' Let Babar play 40 overs and we'll get the others out," Sarfaraz quipped, his comments captured by the stump microphone.Despite the playful banter, Babar remained unfazed and went on to score his first century in the competition. The Pakistan T20I captain reached the triple-figure mark in 99 balls, finishing on 104 off 100 deliveries with seven boundaries and three sixes.However, Babar's tenure as white-ball captain may be nearing its end. Recent reports have suggested that Mohammad Rizwan is emerging as the frontrunner to replace Babar as skipper. This news has sparked mixed reactions from fans and former Pakistan cricketers.Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his support for Rizwan to take over the captaincy. "The way Rizwan led the side, he proved there is no better skipper than him. He has shown it with his captaincy. He read the pitch; it is a big thing. Even Babar can't do that," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Whether Babar will continue as captain or Rizwan will take over remains to be seen. However, one thing is for sure: the competition for the captaincy is heating up, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming months.

Babar Azam Silences Sarfaraz Ahmed's Taunts with Century in Champions CupIn a thrilling Champions Cup encounter in Faisalabad, Pakistan's batting maestro Babar Azam silenced his detractors with a magnificent century, proving that he remains a force to be reckoned with.The match took an unexpected turn when Dolphins wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed attempted to unsettle Babar with sarcastic remarks. "No hurry, tell spectators to chant Babar, Babar. Let Babar play 40 overs and we will get others out," Sarfaraz was heard saying on the stump microphone.However, Babar responded in the best possible way, showcasing his class and composure. Coming in to bat at No. 3 for the Stallions, he played a masterful innings, scoring 104 not out off 100 balls. His knock included seven boundaries and three towering sixes, guiding the Stallions to a competitive 271 for 7 in 50 overs.In response, the Dolphins' batting lineup crumbled under pressure, crashing to a dismal 97 all out in just 25 overs. Sarfaraz, who had tried to provoke Babar, managed only five runs before being dismissed.Jahandad Khan and Mehran Mumtaz were the stars with the ball for the Stallions, claiming three wickets each. Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed also chipped in with two wickets apiece, ensuring a comprehensive 174-run victory for their team.Babar's century was a timely reminder of his exceptional talent and resilience. Despite facing criticism for his recent form, he proved that he is still capable of dominating the game. His innings not only silenced his critics but also inspired his team to a resounding victory.

In a resounding victory, Stallions crushed Dolphins by a massive 174 runs in Faisalabad, extending Dolphins' losing streak to three consecutive matches. Babar Azam's unbeaten century and Jahandad Khan's early wickets proved decisive in the lopsided encounter.Stallions, electing to bat first, got off to a solid start with Shan Masood and Yasir Khan amassing 76 runs in the opening 13 overs. However, Faheem Ashraf's dismissal of Masood slowed the scoring pace. Yasir soon followed suit, but Babar Azam remained steadfast, anchoring the innings with a composed 104 off 100 deliveries.Babar's partnership with Tayyab Tahir yielded 57 runs, propelling Stallions to 150 in the 30th over. Dolphins employed six bowlers, each claiming a wicket, but Babar remained unyielding. By the 40th over, he had reached a half-century off 65 balls.In the final ten overs, Babar unleashed his power, smashing 54 runs off 35 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes. His blistering knock propelled Stallions to a formidable total of 271 for 7.Dolphins' hopes of breaking their losing streak were quickly dashed by Jahandad Khan's devastating opening spell. With the second ball of the innings, he dismissed Muhammad Hurraira for a duck. In his third over, he trapped Umar Amin lbw, leaving Dolphins reeling at 15 for 2.Sahibzada Farhan and Saud Shakeel briefly threatened with five fours in 20 balls, but Jahandad struck again, removing Shakeel. Haris Rauf then dealt Dolphins a double blow, dismissing Sarfaraz Ahmed and Qasim Akram in quick succession.From 60 for 5, Dolphins' resistance crumbled. The lower middle order offered little resistance against the spin duo of Abrar Ahmed and Mehran Mumtaz, who shared five wickets. Dolphins were eventually bowled out for a paltry 97, handing Stallions a comprehensive 174-run victory.

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam: A Shared Admiration Transcending RivalryIn a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, a Pakistani fan held up a unique poster featuring Virat Kohli and Babar Azam side by side during a Pakistan One Day Cup 2024 match in Faisalabad. The poster, depicting a scene from the T20 World Cup 2021 where Kohli and Babar interacted on the field, captured the mutual respect between the two cricketing giants.The image of the fan holding up the poster quickly went viral, underscoring the shared admiration for both players despite their competitive rivalry. The poster was spotted during the Stallions' innings in the seventh match, where Babar Azam was representing the Stallions. The fan's enthusiastic exhibition not only drew attention but also underlined the capacity of cricket fans to appreciate and celebrate each other's favorite players across national boundaries.In a similar vein, another notable moment occurred earlier in the tournament when a Pakistani fan was spotted waving an Indian team jersey with Virat Kohli's name at Babar Azam's home ground. These gestures highlight the growing camaraderie between cricket fans from both countries, who recognize the exceptional talent and sportsmanship of both Kohli and Babar.As things stand, Virat Kohli might make his way to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, setting the stage for an electrifying clash between him and Babar Azam. Pakistani fans could then have the rare opportunity to see these two cricketing titans face off on their home grounds, rekindling their long-standing rivalry and displaying their exceptional skills on one of cricket's grandest stages.The mutual admiration between Kohli and Babar is a testament to the spirit of sportsmanship that transcends national boundaries. It is a reminder that even in the midst of intense competition, respect and appreciation for one's opponents can prevail.

Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam, facing a challenging period in his career, has sought solace in faith amidst mounting pressure. On the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, Babar shared a message on social media, referencing Prophet Muhammad's teachings of compassion.Babar's post comes during a period of poor form with the bat, following Pakistan's recent struggles on the international stage. Since the ICC World Cup in India last year, Babar has endured a series of disappointing outings, including scores of 0, 22, 11, and 31 in the recent two-Test series against Bangladesh.Pakistan's loss in the series, coupled with Babar's exclusion from the ICC top 10 rankings for batters for the first time in years, has intensified scrutiny around his leadership and form. This slump follows Pakistan's exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, where the team failed to make it past the group stages after consecutive defeats to the USA and India, raising questions about Babar's captaincy in white-ball cricket.Amid this turbulence, former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan has offered advice to Babar, urging him to take inspiration from Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli. Younis emphasized that while social media can offer a platform to connect with fans, a cricketer's real answers come through performance on the field."Players should use social media wisely, but their real answers should come through their performances with the bat and ball," Younis remarked.Younis encouraged Babar to focus on his fitness and work ethic, noting that these moments of challenge are rare opportunities for growth. Drawing parallels with Kohli, Younis added, "Look at Virat Kohli. He chose to step down from captaincy on his own terms and now he's breaking records worldwide."Babar's recent struggles have sparked concerns among Pakistan cricket fans and experts. However, the captain remains determined to overcome this challenging phase and regain his form. With the support of his team and the guidance of experienced mentors like Younis Khan, Babar aims to lead Pakistan to future success on the international stage.

Pakistan's all-rounder Imad Wasim has expressed his surprise over the decision to reinstate Babar Azam as captain of the national team in white-ball cricket. The decision came after Pakistan's disappointing performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage.Babar Azam had initially resigned from captaincy in all formats following Pakistan's failure to reach the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, he was reappointed as captain just before the 2024 T20 World Cup, a move that raised eyebrows among many.Imad Wasim, speaking on the PakPassion YouTube channel, admitted that he was taken aback by the decision. "Yes, I was surprised. But what can I say? It's ultimately the selector's call," he said. "Whatever they thought was the best option, (based on that) they picked the team, they picked the captain."Wasim emphasized that the change in captaincy was not the sole reason for Pakistan's poor showing at the T20 World Cup. "I don't believe in that. I think you can make anyone captain, it's just how you play inside the ground, it's just the performance that matters," he said. "Obviously, captaincy and management plays a part, but ultimately it's all individual (performance of the players)."Pakistan lost their opening two games in the 2024 T20 World Cup, first to co-hosts and debutants USA in a dramatic Super Over and then to arch-rivals India. The defeats effectively ended their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.Wasim acknowledged that Pakistan's performance at the tournament was disappointing, but he refused to blame it solely on the captaincy change. "I can't put this or that on the captaincy or management. At the end of the day, it's my personal performance as well," he said.The decision to reinstate Babar Azam as captain has been met with mixed reactions. Some believe that he is the best player to lead the team, while others question whether he has the necessary leadership qualities. Only time will tell whether the decision will prove to be the right one for Pakistan cricket.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has strongly advocated for Mohammad Rizwan to replace Babar Azam as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Ali believes that Rizwan's exceptional leadership skills, particularly his ability to read the pitch and adapt his tactics accordingly, make him the ideal candidate for the role.Ali's endorsement of Rizwan stems from his observations of Rizwan's captaincy during the Champions One-Day Cup match between Markhors and Stallions. Rizwan's astute decision-making and tactical adjustments played a pivotal role in Markhors' impressive 126-run victory.After posting a modest total of 231, Markhors faced an early setback when Babar Azam struck five consecutive fours off Shahnawaz Dahani's bowling. However, Rizwan swiftly changed tactics, denying Dahani further overs and introducing a mix of spinners and pacers.This strategic move proved highly effective. Naseem Shah dismissed Shan Masood, triggering a collapse in the Stallions' batting lineup. The spin duo of Zahid Mahmood and Salman Ali Agha then ran through the remaining batters, securing a comprehensive victory for Markhors.Ali praised Rizwan's ability to read the pitch and adjust his tactics accordingly, a skill that he believes neither Babar Azam nor Test captain Shan Masood possess. He emphasized that Rizwan's leadership qualities were evident in his ability to inspire his team and make quick, decisive decisions."The way Rizwan led the side, he proved there is no better skipper than him," Ali said. "He has shown it with his captaincy. He read the pitch; it is a big thing. Even Babar can't do that. I am not even talking about Shan. If you don't make him captain at this time, then it is a loss for Pakistan. This is the best time you should make Rizwan the captain."Ali's comments have sparked a debate among fans and former cricketers, with some supporting his view and others expressing reservations. However, Rizwan's impressive leadership record and his ability to adapt to different situations make him a strong contender for the captaincy role.

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has launched a scathing attack on star batter Babar Azam and other top players, accusing them of prioritizing personal gains over team goals. Younis's criticism comes amid Pakistan's recent struggles in both Test and white-ball cricket.Younis highlighted the team's failure to win games, stating that Babar and others talk more than they perform. He urged Babar to learn from Virat Kohli, who stepped down from India's captaincy to focus on his batting."If Babar and other top players deliver on the field, then results will be clear to everyone. Humare players khelte kam, bolte zyada hai (I have observed that our players tend to talk more than they perform)," Younis said.Younis also suggested that Babar focus on his fitness and work ethic, emphasizing that opportunities like these don't come around often. He added that players should use social media wisely and let their performances on the field do the talking.Pakistan's head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have advised against hasty captaincy changes, despite recent poor performances. However, there have been calls for the removal of Shan Masood as Test captain after Pakistan's 0-2 series defeat to Bangladesh.A PCB source has denied media speculations about Masood and Babar's sacking, stating that the decision on captaincy rests with the coaches and selectors.Younis's criticism reflects the growing frustration among former players and fans over Pakistan's recent performances. The team's inability to win consistently has raised questions about the leadership and commitment of the players.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has strongly advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against making any captaincy changes, emphasizing the need for players to improve their fundamentals to avoid costly mistakes.Akmal's comments come amidst reports that Babar Azam could be replaced as white-ball captain by Mohammad Rizwan. However, Akmal believes that such a move is unnecessary, especially considering Pakistan's recent struggles in major tournaments."Why they wanted to bring a change now if they did not do that after losing the Asia Cup, ODI World Cup, and T20 World Cup? What difference does it make [by the way]?" Akmal questioned.He pointed out that Pakistan's poor performances in these tournaments were not solely due to Babar's captaincy but rather a reflection of systemic issues within the team."Is it because the captain is not their favorite, and they want one of their choice? Do you think the new captain will bring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, or Mitchell Starc into the team to boost its performance?" Akmal asked.He stressed that the focus should be on improving the team's fundamentals, including batting, bowling, and fielding. "If they do not get their basics right, then such blunders will continue to happen, and replacing captains will make no difference," Akmal said.Akmal also suggested that the entire team, including the captain, coach, and selectors, should reassess their approach and make necessary changes."Everyone should set their direction right and reform their thinking," he said.It is worth noting that Babar had stepped down as captain of all formats after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, he was reinstated as white-ball captain ahead of the 2023 T20 World Cup, replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi.