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Pakistan’s cricket captain, Babar Azam, found himself at the center of social media scrutiny following his lackluster performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 match against the Netherlands. Despite entering Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hy🦄d🦩erabad with high expectations, Babar could only manage to score 5 runs from 18 deliveries before being caught at short mid-wicket.
A disappointing outing for Babar Azam
In a game where Pakistan were asked to bat first, Babar stepped onto the field after the dismissal of Fakhar Zaman. Fans were eagerly anticipating another Babar masterclass on what appeared to beᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ a batting-friendly pitch. However, their hopes were dashed when the Pakis𒀰tan star mistimed a pull shot and was caught.
Notably, Babar had come into this match on the back of a spectacular 90-run performance against Australia in a warm-up match. However, against the Netherlands, he stꦫruggled to find his rhythm and eventually fell while attempting a big shot.
//twitter.com/ball🌌tamperrerrr/status/1710229190547845262
Social media users mock Babar Azam
Following his early exit from the crease, B💜abar became the target of brutal trolling on social media platforms. Many netizens expressed their disappointment at his inability to stand up to a relatively inexperienced bowling attack from the Dutch side.
Also READ: ODI World Cup 2023 – Lesser known facts about India-born New Zealand sensation Rachin Ravindra
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Safe to say that Babar Azam was not looking in his flow at all today. There were multiple edges and appeals and seemed as if he was just trying to break the shackles. Looked under pressure to prove something. It was not the number one ODI🔯 batter Babar Azam that𝓡 world knows.…
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu)
Such༺ a world class innings of 5 off 18 balls from Babar Azam came to an end b𒁏y Ackermann.
— Wasay Habib (@wwasay)
Unreal craze for Babar Azam in Hyderabad!!!
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar)
Bab🦩ar Azam dismissed for 5 in 18 balls infront of nederland 😂
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari)
Lumber 1 batsman and their fans right now 🤣🤣🤣
— Introvert //🙇🏻♂️ (@introvert_hu_ji)
🧸Babar Azam Supermacy in🅺 small stadium who have short boundaries 🥵🔥
— 𝙕𝙀𝙀𝙈𝙊™ (@Healed_ICTIAN)
No Zimbabwe, No Nepal, No Party for Babar Azam.
— Heisenberg (@rovvmut_)
Greebo Ka Shubman Gill 😂☕️ ||
— Sir BoiesX (@BoiesX45)
//tw𝓀itter.com/Irfan_path4nꦯ/status/1710221124993466868
Babar Azam after getting out 😂😂
— CONTEXTUAL MEME (@Contextual_Meme)
//t🐟witter.com/RavindraNain29/status/1710236866𒀰627477606
Now we can’t call him Minnow Basher.
Lekin Bhaijaan Babar , Kohli se beht🐼ar cover driveꦆ maarta h🔥— Kohlified. (@123perthclassic)
Steady recovery for Pakistan
Despite the early setbacks, the Pakistan innings was steadied by Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel. The pair put together a partnership of over 100 runs and maintained a decent scoring rate. Both Rizwan and Shakeel achieved their respective half-centuries before both departꦰed for 68 runs.
