The Babar Azam-led Pakistan team overcame the all-rounder heroics of Bas de Leede to record an 81-run victory against the Netherlands in Hyderabad and kick off their World Cup 2023 campaign with a win.
The match took place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The Pakistan cricket team and the Pakistani fans had been expecting decent support for their team, in particular for skipper and classy batsman Babar Azam.
There were multiple moments when the Hyderabad crowd had chanted Babar Azam’s name during the match. Babar finally reacted to those chants during the Netherlands’ innings in the 36th over when Pakistan were cruising toward a victory and the PAK skipper seemed relaxed.
As the giant screen showed Babar, the audience in the stands chanted “Babar Babar”. Pleased with this support from the crowd, Babar put a hand on his ear to acknowledge the support from the people of Hyderabad. His reaction was very much like what Indian superstar cricketer Virat Kohli has done sometimes in his career to show his gratitude to the fans who chanted his name.
This video of the Pakistani skipper reacting to “Babar Babar” chants has gone viral on social media.
Watch: Babar Azam finally reacted like Virat Kohli to the chants of “Babar Babar” in Hyderabad
Hyderabad ❤️ pic.twitter.com/alXrpL7Ykw
— PSL Memes (@PSLMemesWalay) October 6, 2023
Saud Shakeel was the Player of the Match was his aggressive knock of 68 runs in 52 balls. Rizwan also scored 68 runs, in 75 balls. Later on cameos from Nawaz and Shadab helped Pakistan to 286 runs as Bas de Leede took 4 wickets. De Leede also starred with the bat, scoring 67 runs, but apart from 52 from opener Vikramjit Singh, nobody stood up and the Dutch lost by 81 runs.
Babar Azam said: “The way Hyderabad supports us, we are very happy. Our team is enjoying the hospitality. Pretty satisfied, credit to the bowlers, the way started well and the way we took wickets in the middle overs. We lost three wickets, the way Rizwan and Saud batted put pressure on the Netherlands. Saud built his innings and played well. He has improved a lot. Our bowlers bowled very well, we stuck to our plans, Haris bowled quick and took wickets.”
