In a surprising turn of events during a practice match ahead of the Champions One-Day Cup 2024/25, Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Babar Azam was clean bowled by a local spinner, leaving spectators and team members in awe. The incident occurred at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, where the tournament is set to kick off on September 12.
The left-arm spinner cleans up Babar Azam
The spinner named Mohd Asghar delivered a remarkable ball that deceived Babar, hitting the middle-stump and sending the star battter back to the pavilion. This unexpected dismissal has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike, highlighting the unpredictability of cricket and the potential of local talent.
Babar, who is known for his solid technique and consistency, appeared taken aback by the delivery, which has since been shared widely on social media platforms. The video of the wicket has gone viral, with many praising the spinner’s skill and others speculating about the implications for Babar’s form ahead of the tournament.
Here’s the video:
Babar Azam clean bowled by Mohd Asghar in a practice match #BabarAzam𓃵 #ChampionsCuppic.twitter.com/4zUXx7SByn
— Mr Tajamul (@Tajamul1320) September 10, 2024
Representing the Stallions, Babar could only score 20 runs off 20 balls in the practice match.
Also READ: Here’s why Pakistan star Fakhar Zaman left CPL 2024 midway
Babar Azam going through a rough patch
Babar has faced challenges over the last eighteen months. He received significant criticism after Pakistan failed to advance to the second round of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA), with his performance during the powerplay drawing particular scrutiny.
His struggles continued in the recent Test series against Bangladesh, where he managed only 64 runs in two matches, averaging 16 with a strike rate of 43.53, and a highest score of 31. Notably, Babar has not scored a half-century in Test cricket since January 2023. There are also speculations that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to remove Babar from captaincy.
Also READ: Champions One-Day Cup 2024/25: Teams, Captains, Format and Complete Schedule
