• A young fan breached security at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Babar Azam’s 31st birthday.

  • Babar’s birthday celebrations turned tense as a security lapse at Gaddafi Stadium exposed flaws in player protection.

WATCH: Fan breaches security to enter Pakistan dressing room leaving Babar Azam stunned on his birthday
Fan breaks security to enter Pakistan dressing room leaving Babar Azam shocked on his birthday (Image source: X)

Pakistan’s premier batter Babar Azam experienced an extraordinary twist to his 31st birthday celebrations when a fan breached security at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium after Pakistan’s Test win over South Africa. What began as a day of triumph and joy soon turned into a major security scare that left the star cricketer visibly concerned about player safety.​

Babar Azam left surprised after fan manages to reach Pakistan dressing room

Babar’s birthday coincided with Pakistan’s 93-run victory over the Proteas in the opening Test of the two-match series. After contributing a steady 42 runs in the second innings, the former captain watched his team secure a crucial win in front of a roaring home crowd. However, moments after play, a young fan, reportedly a teenager, climbed over the Majid Khan Enclosure and made his way toward the restricted players’ area to meet Babar.

Videos of the dramatic moment went viral on social media, showing the fan scaling the enclosure and approaching the dressing room walkway before the alert coaching staff, including head coach Azhar Mahmood, raised the alarm. Security officials immediately intervened, intercepting the intruder before he could reach the players. Panicked and remorseful, the fan pleaded for forgiveness before being escorted out of the stadium without further disturbance.​

Eyewitnesses reported that Babar was not present in the dressing room when the intrusion occurred. When informed later, he was said to be shocked and alarmed at how easily someone had accessed the secured area. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet issued an official statement but is expected to review the incident and strengthen venue security ahead of the next Test in Rawalpindi starting October 20.​

Here’s the video:

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Babar’s birthday celebrations and fan frenzy

The Lahore crowd had been electric throughout the Test, chanting Babar’s name at every opportunity, especially as he made his much-anticipated return to international cricket. Even before the fan’s intrusion, public excitement was at fever pitch. Head coach Mahmood had earlier brought Babar to the balcony post-match, where thousands of fans erupted into chants of “Babar! Babar!”, underlining his unmatched popularity in Pakistan cricket.​

This latest incident highlights both the intense adoration Babar commands and the increasing need for tighter safety measures at major venues. While passionate displays of fandom are not new in cricket, incidents like this have raised concerns regarding player protection during and after matches.

Despite the brief chaos, Babar appeared composed later on, reportedly attending a low-key team celebration that evening. His 31st birthday will certainly be remembered—not only for Pakistan’s resounding win over South Africa but also for an unexpected encounter that reminded everyone of the affection and security challenges that come with sporting greatness.

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About the Author:
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on , , and .