For the third time in 6 innings in the World Cup 2023, Pakistan captain Babar Azam failed to convert his half-century into a century, and once again he is getting trolled for his slow-ish knock.
On what seemed a solid, good batting pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Babar Azam scored 50 runs in 65 balls against South Africa. This further increased the fans’ frustration that Babar has once again failed to carry on batting after being set and scoring a half-century.
It only gave more voice to those who have been calling him “statpadder” and “selfish”. Babar is the number 1 ODI Batsman currently, but his performances in the World Cup 2023 haven’t really lived up to that tag’s mark.
In 6 innings, Babar has scored 207 runs at a poor strike rate of 79. Such pronounced and famous Babar’s struggles against spin is that the Protea captain, Temba Bavuma, even dared to introduce part-time off-spinner Aiden Markram in the first powerplay itself despite the restrictions of only two fielders outside the circle, and Babar still looked apprehensive against Markram.
And he eventually fell to wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. Babar Azam tried to paddle Shami on the leg-side by going across the line and aiming for the fine leg region. However, he missed the ball and the ball brushed the glove of his thumb and Quinton de Kock took a good catch behind.
Even though the on-field umpire gave Babar not out, Shamsi and de Kock were confident and got the decision changed upon review.
Babar Azam looked disappointed as he walked back to the dressing room, leaving his side at the score of 141/5 in the 28th over. This led to a series of memes on Twitter.
Memes on Babar Azam after he scored a slow fifty against South Africa:
Teams:
South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi
Pakistan (Playing XI): Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf
