Babar Azam has long been a standout performer for the Pakistan team. He was expected to put in some strong performances in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup, but that has yet to happen. Pakistan and England are currently facing off in the final of the mega event in Australia. Captain Babar has failed to deliver yet again.
While the opener got a good start in the match, he could not increase his scoring rate and lost his wicket shortly after reaching 30 runs. Adil Rashid, England's leg spinner, took his wicket in the 12th over after scoring 32 runs in 28 balls.
Rashid bowled the wrong'un, and Babar failed to read it. He leaned back and cramped for space. He attempted to cut but ended up chipping it off the inner part of the bat and returning it down the pitch. Rashid advanced and made a good diving catch.
The skipper of the Men in Green has only scored one half-century in seven appearances in the tournament so far. He only managed to get 124 runs at an average of just 17.7. His strike rate was the biggest concern for the team, and that remained low throughout the tournament. Babar had a strike rate of just 93 in the tournament. These figures are extremely low by T20 standards.
In the meantime, none of the Pakistan batters could do much in the finals batting first. On the other hand, the English bowlers were at the top of their game as they limited their opposition to a low total. Pakistan only managed to score 137 runs in the first innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Shan Masood, with 38 runs in 28 balls, was the highest run-scorer of the innings, followed by Babar Azam. For England, Sam Curran took three wickets in the game, while Adil Rashid and Chris Jordan took two each.
Meanwhile, Babar Azam was mercilessly trolled on Twitter for his poor performance in the tournament.
Here's how Twitter lashed out at Babar Azam
Kitna din kudrat ke nizam pe jioge, Khud kuch to karo, main to boalta hoo har ek over se pahle namaz Ada karo
— prasad satarkar (@prasad5185) November 13, 2022
Loyalty 🤝🏻 Bobby Badshah
— Pravin Waghmare (@_pravinnn_) November 13, 2022
Underrated choker❤️
— Action Kamen (@Action_kamen___) November 13, 2022
King Babar Dabar 😍 pic.twitter.com/yxvyTmfYPv
— Hero Hiralal (@HeroHiralal234) November 13, 2022
92 karte karte 2007 ho raha hai inka
— Babayaga (@5cb37fd26ece4c8) November 13, 2022
Babar is a man of consistency 🔥
— Groot 🚩(blue tick) (@iamgrroot_) November 13, 2022
His love for tuk tuk academy is unmatched ❤️
Iss baar dokha nhi diyaa unlike in semis pic.twitter.com/vbzZJBNECv
Rohit welcoming him pic.twitter.com/beQpViw4KH
— Ayush Singh (@ayushholic) November 13, 2022
Ek din Rohit chala tha aur ek din babar. Bas
— Divyansh (@divyanGeeky) November 13, 2022
😅#T20WorldCupFinal #PAKvENG
Babar the most overrated player of the century.
— Sandeep (@Sandeep36943710) November 13, 2022
Cometh the hour, Cometh the man!
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) November 13, 2022
Red carpet walk for Bobby Badshah for his 32 off 28 in finals😍🔥 #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/HO42LnnMMY
Top 4 rare snails in the world pic.twitter.com/ktcucJnDf7
— 170/0 will pain forever (@Brahmindian) November 13, 2022
Rizwan and Babar back in Tuk Tuk academy🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Hithesh (@_hitheshgowda_) November 13, 2022