Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has equalled the unwanted record of World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan after being dismissed for a duck in a 50-over format of the game. The 28-year-old was dismissed for the three-ball duck in the 1st ODI game against Afghanistan on Tuesday.
The Men in Green has kick-started their preparation for the all-important Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023, with a massive win over the Afghanistan side, as they thrashed them by 142 runs at the tricky wicket of Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
Winning the toss, Pakistan batters struggled to get going against the Afghanistan bowler, especially against the spinners Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan getting out cheaply before Imam-ul-Haq and Shadab Khan helped them to put a decent total on a board.
Coming into the chase of 202 runs, Afghanistan batters were rattled by the pure pace of the Pakistan speedster, as they combined to pick up eight wickets in the game and the team was dismissed for 59 runs in just 19.2 overs in the 1st ODI game with Haris Rauf being the top wicket-taker with 5-18 in 6.2 overs.
The Pakistan skipper Babar Azam got plumb in front of the wicket as failed to read the bowl of Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the second over of the game to register his second duck in the 50-over format as a Pakistan skipper. Wasim Akram leads the chart with eight dismissals with the second and third positions held by Inzamam-ul-Haq and Moin Khan.
Babar Azam has been an exceptional performer for men in green in all three formats since his debut for Pakistan and is regarded as one of the greatest batters from Pakistan to play in World Cricket. The 28-year-old has been leading the Pakistan team since he took over the captaincy from Sarfraz Ahmed.
The right-hander had a prolific 2022 across formats, bagging the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Award and being named the ODI team’s captain. He also won the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year award. The Pakistan skipper has performed brilliantly well for the Men in Green in all three formats of the games.
The 28-year-old will have a huge test in his captaincy skills as they will play Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023 later this year, as his gameplay and captaincy will be crucial for their team in the ICC events.