Pakistan’s T20 captain, Babar Azam, has been facing a challenging phase in his cricketing career, struggling to find his rhythm with the bat. After an underwhelming performance in the Bangladesh series, where he failed to make a significant impact, his troubles continued during the T20 World Cup. Now, in a recent practice match ahead of the highly anticipated Champions Cup, Babar’s woes deepened as he was dismissed in a rather unfortunate manner.
Babar Azam’s Disappointing Dismissal
In the practice match held on September 10, Babar Azam, playing for the Stallions, only managed to score 20 runs before being bowled out. The left-arm spinner, Mohammad Asghar, delivered a well-placed ball that Babar attempted to sweep. However, he misjudged the delivery completely, resulting in his middle stump being knocked out. As a result, Babar’s critics are once again raising concerns about his form as they hope to see him bounce back in the Champions Cup.
Babar Azam’s middle stump was blown away (Photo-PTI)
Mohammad Asghar: The Bowler Who Dismissed Babar Azam
Now, let’s take a closer look at the bowler who had the honor of dismissing one of Pakistan’s top batsmen. Mohammad Asghar, a 25-year-old left-arm spinner hailing from Balochistan, has emerged as a promising talent in Pakistani cricket. With an impressive record of 177 wickets in 49 first-class matches and 116 wickets in 78 list A matches, he has proven to be a consistent wicket-taker.
Asghar’s Performance in T20 Cricket
In the T20 format, Asghar has claimed 66 wickets with an economical bowling rate of just 7.26 runs per over, making him a vital asset to his team. He currently plays for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he has taken 21 wickets in 21 matches. His experience also extends to playing in international leagues, including the Bangladesh Premier League, showcasing his abilities on various platforms.
Babar Azam is once again struggling. In the Champions Cup practice match, Babar Azam was bowled out by a spinner. Babar Azam scored only 20 runs off 20 balls, while Shan Masood scored 90 runs off 80 balls before getting out caught. Tayyab Tahir’s excellent batting continues. pic.twitter.com/MucYJTCZs1
— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) September 10, 2024
Looking Ahead: The Champions Cup
The Champions Cup is set to commence on September 12, bringing together some of the best talents in Pakistani cricket. Notably, Babar Azam will not captain his team, Stallions; instead, he will play under the leadership of Mohammad Haris. Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan has taken over the captaincy of the Wolves, Shaheen Afridi leads the Lions, Saud Shakeel captains the Dolphins, and Shadab Khan heads the Panthers. This makes for an exciting tournament where five teams will compete fiercely for the coveted title, culminating in the final match on September 29.
What Lies Ahead for Babar Azam?
As the Champions Cup approaches, the expectations of Babar Azam remain high among fans and selectors alike. His ability to perform under pressure and turn his form around will be crucial for the Stallions. The cricketing community eagerly awaits his performance in the upcoming matches, hoping he can regain his form and contribute significantly to his team’s success.
