Pakistan’s star cricketer, Babar Azam, who has been grappling with a rough patch in his recent performances, had his hopes dashed once again, this time by his own teammate and ace bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Babar, who was aiming to break his streak of low scores, seemed to be getting back into form but fell short of reaching a much-needed century during the Champions One Day Cup match.
Champions ODI Cup: Stallions vs Lions
The match took place in Faisalabad, with Stallions led by Babar Azam and featuring other key players like Shan Masood, going up against Lions—a side that included big names like Imam ul Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, and the fierce bowler, Shaheen Afridi. The match was set for a thrilling showdown, especially with the narrative of the ongoing competitive edge between Shaheen and Babar regarding leadership roles in the Pakistan cricket team.
Babar Azam’s Return to Form
Babar’s recent form has been a cause for concern, with the runs drying up for the star batter, impacting both his confidence and Pakistan’s performance on the international stage. Heading into this match, Babar had been struggling to even hit half-centuries, managing to score below 50 in his last few outings. The Champions ODI Cup was an opportunity for him to find his rhythm, especially without the burden of captaincy on his shoulders.
Starting slowly after arriving at the crease in the 8th over, Babar carefully constructed his innings. After a few cautious overs, Babar began to accelerate his scoring. He put up an impressive partnership of 114 runs with teammate Tayyab Tahir, and fans were hopeful that this would finally be the inning where he could register a much-needed century.
Shaheen Afridi’s Key Dismissal
However, just when things were looking promising, Babar’s hopes were brought to a sudden halt. In the 35th over, Shaheen Afridi, who has been in the spotlight recently for his leadership ambitions, delivered a stunning delivery that knocked out Babar. Babar was dismissed for a well-played 76 runs off 79 balls, which included 9 boundaries. Despite not reaching the century, this was Babar’s first half-century in 11 innings, providing a glimmer of hope for a full return to form.
Tensions Between Babar and Shaheen
The rivalry between Babar and Shaheen has been the subject of much discussion, especially after rumors surfaced about their differences over the captaincy of the Pakistan national team. Shaheen’s dismissal of Babar in this match will only fuel further speculation, with many viewing it as a symbolic victory for Shaheen. His dismissal of Babar also served as a reminder of his incredible skill and why he’s regarded as one of Pakistan’s top bowlers.
Conclusion of the Match
Although Babar’s dismissal may have been a disappointment for him, the match was a key moment in his journey back to form. The 76-run knock, though not a century, has certainly given him and his fans something to be optimistic about. The encounter between Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam will be remembered as a crucial moment in what was otherwise a competitive and exciting match in the Champions One Day Cup.
