Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam celebrates his century (100 runs) through the second Twenty20 cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand on the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore, on April 15, 2023. — AFP
Pakistan cricket followers turned X right into a Babar Azam fan membership on Saturday, with the fan-favourite cricketer’s title trending on the micro-blogging platform, after movies of him practising within the nets surfaced on-line.
Babar was seen batting in full move, fuelling hypothesis amongst followers that he could return to the nationwide aspect when South Africa tour Pakistan for a two-Check collection starting October 12.
Though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is but to announce the squad for the collection, X customers appeared satisfied that Babar’s intense coaching periods are an indication of his comeback. His timing on the nets and trademark cowl drives had followers buzzing, with many calling for his quick return to motion.
Let’s take a look at what netizens have been saying:
In the meantime, some in contrast the previous Pakistan skipper to Shubhman Gill, who was “clean bowled” in India’s match with the UAE.
Babar, together with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, was not noted of the Pakistan squad for the continuing ACC Males’s Asia Cup 2025 — a call that shocked followers and divided cricket pundits.
The selectors have been specializing in grooming younger gamers forward of subsequent yr’s T20 World Cup, leaving out the 2, who’ve been a constant a part of Pakistan’s squad.
The duo’s exclusion from the Asia Cup squad turned probably the most talked-about cricket tales of the season, sparking hashtags and debate reveals throughout sports activities channels. For a lot of followers, the sight of Babar practising once more looks like a promise of redemption — and maybe the start of a comeback story.
With Pakistan set to face a powerful South African aspect in October, followers imagine that Babar’s expertise and management may play an important position in stabilising the batting order. Whether or not or not the selectors agree will turn out to be clear when the squad is introduced — however for now, X is loving the concept of a Babar Azam comeback.
Pakistan’s new cycle of the ICC World Check Championship 2025-27 will start on October 12, after they host the 2023-25 ICC World Check Champions South Africa for a two-Check-match collection, the Pakistan Cricket Board stated in a latest announcement.
Check collection schedule
October 12-16 — First Check at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
October 20-24 — Second Check at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
October 28 — First T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
October 31 — Second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
November 1 — Third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
November 4 — First ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
November 6 — Second ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
November 8 — Third ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
