A riot of laughter recently spread across social media as a hilarious video featuring cricket stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan captured the hearts of fans. The scene unfolded on the cricket field with Babar Azam stepping out of his crease, ready to face the next ball. What happened next was an unexpected bout of comedy, as wicketkeeper Rizwan took a cheeky throw at the stumps after collecting the ball and emphatically appealed for a run-out to the leg umpire.
The playful encounter escalated as Babar appeared to humorously retaliate by running towards Rizwan, wielding his bat as if to hit the wicketkeeper. A lighthearted chase ensued with Rizwan ducking behind the stumps in a mock bid to escape, and Babar gleefully pursuing his teammate. The comedic pursuit gave rise to a memorable and jovial moment on the field, which was captured in a video post on Twitter that soon went viral.
Watch the video here:
Babar pic.twitter.com/OnLIv1t4A7— Hassan (@HassanAbbasian) November 25, 2023
The lighthearted moment comes in the wake of significant changes within the Pakistan Cricket Team. Notably, Babar Azam relinquished his role as captain of the national team on November 15, after a string of underwhelming performances, including Pakistan’s disappointing run in the Cricket World Cup 2023. The team lost five of its nine matches, which led to its early exit from the tournament, failing to make it to the semifinals. Babar’s individual performance did not particularly stand out either, with him scoring 320 runs over the nine matches.
The pressures confronting Babar as captain were manifold, with critiques coming from both cricket experts and fans. His form with the bat, generally a source of reliability, also faced scrutiny during this period. In the wake of these turns, Shan Masood was appointed as the new Test captain, with Shaheen Afridi stepping in as the T20I captain.
Reactions to Babar’s departure from captaincy have been mixed among his peers. While several of his teammates took to social media to commend Babar’s contributions as a leader, others have chosen to maintain their silence on the matter.
Even amid these changes, life off the pitch continues to bring its moments of celebration. Recently, Babar and former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed attended a Qawwali music event in Lahore preceding the wedding of their fellow teammate Imam-ul-Haq. At this cultural festivity, Sarfaraz was seen thoroughly enjoying the music, while Babar and Usman Qadir accompanied him, with Babar visibly cheerful as Sarfaraz swayed to the popular tune “Mera piya ghar aaya.”
This social gathering foreshadowed the upcoming nuptials of Imam-ul-Haq, with the wedding ceremony – the ‘nikah’— set to take place on Saturday, November 25, followed closely by a wedding reception scheduled for the subsequent day.
In light of recent events and the upcoming wedding festivities, the warmth and camaraderie among the Pakistan Cricket Team members offer a reminder that beyond the high-pressure world of international cricket, there’s room for levity and shared joy. As the players navigate the tides of professional sports, it’s undoubtedly these moments of humor and brotherhood that help maintain the team’s spirit.
With an enduring love for the game and loyalty to their national team, the players move forward, ready to take on the challenges and celebrations that lie ahead. For the latest updates on World Cup 2023 and the schedules, fans continue to keep an eye on social platforms and dedicated cricket apps, affirming the unbreakable bond between cricket and its enthusiastic followers.