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Rumors recently circulated claiming that Pakistan cricketer Babar Azam has announced his retirement from Test cricket, sparking a frenzy among fans and media alike. The speculation emerged after a post from an account posing as Babar on X (formerly Twitter) declared his supposed decision to step down from Test cricket. However, upon closer examination, it was confirmed that this post came from a fake account, not from the cricket star himself.
The viral retirement post of Babar Azam
The viral post, dated September 2, alleged that Babar have decided to retire from Test cricket after a “challenging year” where he struggled to perform at his usual high standards.
“After much contemplation and reflection, I have decided to step down from Test cricket. The decision comes after a challenging year where I struggled to find my form and make the impact I have always aspired to on the Test arena.”
— Babar Azam (@babaarazam258) September 2, 2024
This message caused a stir in the cricket community, with many speculating that Babar’s underwhelming form was the driving force behind his alleged decision.
Also READ: PAK vs BAN: Salman Butt pinpoints two key reasons behind Babar Azam’s batting struggles
Fact Check: uncovering the truth behind the rumors
However, a quick investigation into the matter revealed that the account responsible for the post was not verified and was instead a parody account. Comments below the post were filled with users pointing out that the account was fake and the announcement was untrue. The news was a hoax, designed to mislead fans already concerned about Babar’s recent performances.
The false announcement came at a time when Babar Azam is facing mounting pressure due to a string of disappointing performances. From the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to the recently concluded Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Babar’s form has been notably below par. In the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, Pakistan star batter managed to score only 64 runs, adding to concerns about his current standing in international cricket.
Babar has been one of Pakistan’s most prolific batter in recent years, but his recent slump in form has made him a target of criticism and trolling on social media. Despite the criticism, there has been no official word from Babar about stepping down from any format of the game.
