The anticipation for the upcoming test series between Pakistan and England is palpable as the first match is set to begin on October 7th in Multan. Leading up to this crucial fixture, a video of Pakistan’s star batsman, Babar Azam, has gone viral, raising eyebrows and generating discussions among cricket fans worldwide. In this peculiar training session, Babar is seen practicing with only a cover instead of a bat, while Mohammad Rizwan stands poised behind the stumps, ready to keep wickets.
What’s the Buzz About Babar’s Practice?
Cricket enthusiasts were taken aback by the unconventional practice method displayed by Babar Azam. Some Indian fans took this opportunity to jest and troll the player on social media, hinting that such training would only be conceived by the Pakistan cricket team. The humorous jabs highlighted their disbelief, with comments suggesting that Babar was preparing not to hit the ball. One fan quipped: “Only Pakistan could come up with practices like these.”
Only Pakistan could come up with practices like these.
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) October 5, 2024
The Response of Pakistani Fans
In response to the trolling, Pakistani fans quickly rallied to defend their cricketing hero, asserting that Babar’s unique training approach was not meant for him but rather designed to help Rizwan enhance his wicketkeeping skills. They argued that Babar was serving merely as a distraction, allowing Rizwan to practice catching edges off spin bowlers—an essential skill for a keeper facing tricky deliveries.
Seems u don’t know about real cricket. Just a watcher. That’s the keeper practice to catch the edges..babar is the distraction.
— abdul ahad (@AAhad83) October 5, 2024
The Importance of Such Practice
Supporters of the Pakistan team emphasized that this training method isn’t as bizarre as it seems. Training with a focus on wicketkeeping skills, especially catching edges from spin bowls, is a common practice that helps keepers improve their game. Videos demonstrating similar training sessions can be found online, showing that this method has validity and purpose.
Pakistan’s Opportunity Against England
The stakes are high for the Pakistan cricket team as they prepare to face England, particularly since they have struggled at home for over two years without a test match victory. Their recent defeat from Bangladesh must be behind them as they look to change their fortunes during this series. Notably, England will be missing their captain, Ben Stokes, who has been a pivotal figure in their previous successes against Pakistan. Olly Pope will step in as captain, marking a significant opportunity for Pakistan to capitalize on England’s transitional phase.
This series not only provides a platform for Babar Azam to showcase his skills but also for the entire team to reclaim their pride in home test matches. Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to witness whether this unconventional practice method translates into success on the pitch.
