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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 Gandh✨i Stadium in Hyderabad with high expectations, Babar could only manage to sc🌳ore 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 w🐽hat appeared to be a batting-friendly pitch. However, their hopes were dashed when the Pakistan star mistimed a pull shot and was ca🎀ught.
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 struggled to fi♎nd his rhythm and eventually fell while attempting a big shot.
Lumber 1 Batter Babar Azam’s 5(18) vs NED
(Ball by ball highlights) | | |
— ♔ (@balltamperrerrr)
Social media users mock Babar Azam
Following ꧋his early exit from the crease, Babar became the target of brutal trolling on social media platforms. Many netizens expressed their disappointment at his inability to stand up to a relative♓ly 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 Babar൩ 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 that world knows.…
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu)
Such a world class innings of 5 off 18 balls from B🥃abar Azam came to an end by Ackermann.
— Wasay Habib (@wwasay)
Unreal craze for Babar Azam in Hyderabad!!!
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar)
Babar Azam dismissed f🍬or 5 in 18 balls infront of nedꦿerland 😂
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari)
Lumber 1 batsman and their fans right now 🤣🤣🤣
— Introvert //🙇🏻♂️ (@introvert_hu_ji)
Babar Azam Supermacy in smal🍎l stadium who have short boundaries 🥵🔥
— 𝙕𝙀𝙀𝙈𝙊¹⁰ (@Zemo6_ICTIAN)
No Zimbabwe, No Nepal, No Party for Babar Azam.
— 𝙃𝙚𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙜. (@rovvmut_)
Greebo Ka Shubman Gill 😂☕️ ||
— Sir BoiesX 🕯 (@BoiesX45)
Babar azam missed his well deserved century by just 95 ru💯ns.
— Irfan pathan (@Irfan_path4n)
Babar Azam after getting out 😂😂
— CONTEXTUAL MEME (@Contextual_Meme)
Zimbabar For a reason 🤮
Babar Azam right Now 😄😄😄
"Lumber 1" Netherlands " Zi🦩mbabar &qu🌸ot;— king_kohli_FanClub (@RavindraNain29)
Now we can’t call him Minnow Basher.
Lekin Bhaija✱an Babar , Kohli se behtar cover drive 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 a🦋nd maintained a decent scoring rate. Both Rizwan and Shakeel achieved their respective half-centuries before both departed for 68 runs.