• The multi-format series between Afghanistan and Ireland with a one-off Test at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi on February 28.

  • Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was mistakenly portrayed as Afghanistan’s Test captain by the official broadcasters.

Fans left puzzled as Pakistan’s Babar Azam mistakenly project as captain of Afghanistan by the broadcasters – AFG vs IRE 2024
Babar Azam (Image Source: Twitter)

Table of Contents

The multi-format series between Afghanistan and Ireland commenced on February 28 with a one-off Test at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi. Following the red-ball Test, the series will progress to three subsequent matches, including ODIs and T20Is. It’s noteworthy that this series is not part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 cycle, as both nations are not among the top nine teams, a criterion for participation in the prestigious trophy.

Broadcasting blunder: Babar Azam’s unintended stint as Afghanistan’s captain

An unexpected twist brought this relatively low-profile series into the limelight during the first day of the match, thanks to an error by the official broadcasters. In a mistake that quickly circulated on social media platforms, the former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was mistakenly portrayed as Afghanistan’s Test captain, replacing the actual captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. The image, widely shared on platform X, displayed Andrew Balbirnie as Ireland’s captain, but Babar’s photo was inaccurately used for Shahidi. This error stirred surprise and reactions from fans, particularly from Pakistan.

Also READ: Afghanistan vs Ireland 2024, One-off Test: Date, Match Time, Squads, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

Babar’s current whereabouts

It’s essential to note that Babar is currently at the helm of Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024. His leadership has guided Zalmi to three victories in five games this season so far, showcasing his prowess as a captain in the T20 format.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Mark Adair’s five-wicket haul dismantles Afghanistan

Afghanistan faced a challenging Day 1 in the one-off Test against Ireland at the Tolerance Oval. Opting to bat first, Afghanistan struggled to 155, with Ibrahim Zadran top-scoring at 53. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (20) and Karim Janat (41*) contributed, but Mark Adair‘s five-wicket haul limited them.

In response, Ireland had a shaky start as captain Andy Balbirnie (12) and Peter Moor (2) fell early. Curtis Campher and Harry Tector stabilized with a 60-run partnership, but Zia Ur Rehman Akbar‘s spin led to Campher’s dismissal at 49. Debutant night-watchman Theo van Woerkom also couldn’t prevent another turning delivery from Zia, losing his wicket. Ireland finished the day on 100/4 with Tector and Paul Stirling at the crease.

Also READ: Shaheen Afridi names the best bowler of Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024

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