Tag: Babar Azam

Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali has revealed the heartfelt story behind his now-iconic phrase “King kar lega,” a line that has resonated deeply with fans and become a symbol of support for star batter Babar Azam.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with a local sports platform, Hasan shared the emotional significance behind the catchphrase and reflected on Babar’s journey as a player, leader, and figure of inspiration.

“The phrase ‘King kar lega’ didn’t just come from my mouth, it came straight from my heart,” Hasan said, adding that the words carried more than just encouragement; they stemmed from a place of admiration.

The pacer, who debuted alongside Babar Azam in 2016, praised his former captain’s consistency and class across formats, calling him the finest batter of this generation.

“Babar has proven with both his performance and attitude that he is the best batter of this era,” Hasan remarked.

“We all gave him the title of ‘King’. Even though he couldn’t win a trophy, he still ranks among Pakistan’s greatest captains.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Delving deeper into his affection for the batter, Hasan Ali highlighted the universal respect Babar commands across the cricketing world.

“That line came straight from the heart, not just the tongue. Even legends like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Joe Root admire his batting,” he added.

“If you ask fans whether Babar’s cover drive is better than Kohli’s, many would back Babar.”

Reflecting on their shared journey in international cricket, Hasan spoke warmly about Babar’s evolution, from a promising youngster to the face of Pakistan cricket.

“Babar and I made our debuts around the same time. I’ve seen him grow, score runs, and put in the hard work. He truly is the king of Pakistan cricket,” Hasan concluded.

READ: Pakistan batter questions exclusion of Hasan Ali from T20I squad

KARACHI: Pakistan’s ace batter Babar Azam went through rigorous fielding drills on day one of the training camp for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh.

The opening day of the training camp concluded with players engaging in fielding, bowling, and batting sessions that lasted over four hours.

Head coach Mike Hesson, along with the support staff, closely monitored the fielding activities. Additionally, the coaches provided tips to the batters to help them adapt to Bangladesh’s playing conditions.

During the training, Babar Azam was seen practicing fielding for a considerable amount of time.

The 15-member squad heading to Bangladesh is training at the National Bank Stadium, with the camp set to continue until July 15.

Apart from the squad members, five additional players were also added to the training camp. These players include Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Wasim Jr.

For the unversed, Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh will be the first assignment under the new head coach, Mike Hesson. The opening match between both teams is scheduled for July 20, followed by the second T20I on July 22 and the third on July 24.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

After wrapping up the Bangladesh tour, the Green Shirts will travel to the United States of America (USA) to face the West Indies in a three-match T20I series in Florida, set to take place from August 1 to 4.

Both sides will then head to Trinidad and Tobago for a three-match ODI series scheduled between August 8 and 12.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the final T20I and ODI squads for both assignments in the coming days.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh series:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim

Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I Series Schedule 

20 July – First T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

22 July – Second T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

24 July – Third T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

READ: Mahnoor Ali Bags Silver at Asian Junior Squash Championship

KARACHI: Pakistan’s seasoned trio Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are taking part in the training camp for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

The 15-member squad heading to the series is training at the National Bank Stadium, with the camp set to continue until July 15.

Apart from the squad members, five additional players were also added to the training camp. These players include Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Wasim Jr.

For the unversed, Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh will be the first assignment under the new head coach, Mike Hesson. The opening match is scheduled for July 20, followed by the second T20I on July 22 and the third on July 24.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

After wrapping up the Bangladesh tour, the Green Shirts will travel to the United States of America (USA) to face the West Indies in a three-match T20I series in Florida, set to take place from August 1 to 4.

Both sides will then head to Trinidad and Tobago for a three-match ODI series scheduled between August 8 and 12.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the final T20I and ODI squads for both assignments in the coming days.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh series:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim

Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I Series Schedule 

20 July – First T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

22 July – Second T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

24 July – Third T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

READ: Pakistan storms into U-18 Hockey Asia Cup semi-final with dominant win over China

DUBAI: South Africa’s stand-in Test captain Wiaan Mulder has made a giant stride in the latest ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, breaking into the top 25 following his unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe.

Mulder’s historic knock saw him jump 34 places to reach 22nd position with 669 rating points, moving ahead of Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam, who has slipped to 23rd with 651 points.

Among other Pakistani batters, Test vice-captain Saud Shakeel dropped two spots to 13th, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan fell to 21st with 671 points.

T20I captain Salman Ali Agha also dropped one place to 34th, and Test skipper Shan Masood slipped four positions to 48th.

There’s been a change at the top of the Test batting charts as well, with England’s Harry Brook climbing to the No.1 position, displacing his teammate Joe Root, who now sits second.

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson remains third, while India’s Test captain Shubman Gill surged 16 places to enter the top 10, now ranked sixth, after his match-winning scores of 269 and 161 in the Edgbaston Test.

In the ICC Test Bowling Rankings, Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan and left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi each moved up one position to 19th and 20th, respectively.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Noman Ali retained his fifth spot with 806 rating points, continuing to be Pakistan’s highest-ranked Test bowler.

Among other Pakistani bowlers, Mohammad Abbas dropped to 27th, Naseem Shah held his place at 35th, while mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed slipped two spots to 50th.

Khurram Shahzad dropped two places to 64th, with Aamer Jamal steady at 71st, Mir Hamza unchanged at 93rd, and Zahid Mahmood staying at 97th.

Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah remains the top-ranked Test bowler in the world, followed by South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and Australian skipper Pat Cummins in second and third, respectively.

India’s Akash Deep was the biggest mover among bowlers this week. After claiming a ten-wicket match haul at Edgbaston, the right-arm pacer climbed 39 places to reach a career-best 46th position in the Test bowling charts.

Meanwhile, Wiaan Mulder also made notable gains in the ICC Test All-Rounder Rankings as he claimed the third spot after a 16-place jump.

READ: New findings emerge in Diogo Jota’s car crash investigation

England pacer Chris Woakes has broken his silence on the viral ‘King Babar’ comment he left on Wiaan Mulder’s Instagram, clarifying that it was nothing more than a friendly joke and had no intention of mocking former Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Speaking on a YouTube podcast alongside fellow cricketer Moeen Ali, Woakes addressed the controversy after being asked about the origins of the now-infamous nickname.

“I played with Wiaan Mulder in the South African league, and during the Test series in Pakistan, there had been a bit of an exchange between him and Babar Azam,” Woakes recalled.

He explained that the incident sparked a flood of comments from Pakistani fans on Mulder’s posts, with many sarcastically calling him ‘King Babar.’

Woakes, seeing the humor in it, decided to join the banter by commenting the same.

“It was just light-hearted fun. We used to joke about it in the dressing room too. But when I commented ‘King Babar’ on one of Wiaan’s photos, fans completely misread it,” he said.

Woakes was quick to clarify that the comment was never intended as a dig at Babar Azam.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“I didn’t mean anything against Babar. The comment was meant in jest, but fans misinterpreted it as a dig at their captain. They even started targeting me in the comments, calling me ‘King Babar’ sarcastically,” he added.

He wrapped up the discussion by reiterating that the incident was a case of online miscommunication and nothing personal.

“I completely understand the passion of the fans, but the whole thing was just a misunderstanding,” he concluded.

READ: Wiaan Mulder breaks Hashim Amla’s record with historic triple century

LAHORE: Aqib Javed, the director of the High Performance Centre, has opened up on his recent conversations with senior batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan during the Skills Development Camp.

While speaking to the media on the final day of the camp, Aqib revealed that honest feedback was shared with both star players on how to raise their game.

He further stated that the focus wasn’t just on technical work, but also on clarity and self-assessment.

“We worked with both Babar and Rizwan and had honest discussions with them on how to enhance their game,” Aaqib said.

“You can’t fix everything in six days, but you can certainly point out areas that need work and get players thinking about where they stand.”

Aqib Javed explained that the initial focus was on helping players build connections with new coaches, while the latter stages catered to preparations for the Shaheens’ upcoming tour of Australia and the South Africa Test series.

“This was about keeping players engaged in the off-season, maintaining intensity, and getting them used to early morning routines again. Camps like this are essential if we want our players ready for the challenges ahead,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He also provided updates on key pacers Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr., confirming that both have recovered from injuries and bowled regularly during the camp.

“Naseem had been struggling earlier, but now he’s back bowling full tilt. Wasim Jr. has also returned to rhythm,” he added.

When asked about the team’s overall preparation for major assignments like the ACC Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, he stated that Pakistan needs to aim for high-scoring, aggressive cricket.

“To win in modern-day white-ball cricket, you need to go past 200 regularly. We’re not looking at seniority—we’re looking at who fits the role best,” he said.

With two international series and a packed calendar ahead, Aqib reiterated that no spot is guaranteed and performance will be the only criterion.

“This camp was the beginning,” he concluded. “Now the real test is how much the players apply what they’ve been told.”

READ: Pakistan crowned champions of Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025

The eagerly awaited Big Bash League (BBL) 15 fixtures have been announced, featuring Pakistan’s star trio Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan.

BBL 15 is set to commence from December 14 to January 25, 2026, with a total of 44 games played across various venues in Australia. The highlight of this year’s edition is Pakistan’s ace players who are set to make their debut.

Babar Azam Debut 

One of the most notable aspects of BBL 15 will be the debut of Pakistan’s ace batter, Babar Azam, who will be playing for the Sydney Sixers in the opening match of the tournament.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KFC Big Bash League (@bbl)

The season opener will be played between the two most successful teams of the tournament, the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers, on December 14 at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Renegades vs Heat clash ft Rizwan, Shaheen

The Melbourne Renegades will kick off their BBL 15 campaign against Brisbane Heat on December 15, with Pakistan’s pacer Shaheen Afridi and wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan making their tournament debuts.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Melbourne Renegades will begin their tournament with two home matches at Geelong

Australia Test Players Return After Ashes

With the much-anticipated Ashes series concluding on January 8, several Australian Test players may return to action, depending on their availability.

Those players currently part of the Test squad and having BBL contracts include Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Beau Webster, Josh Inglis, Steve Smith, and Scott Boland.

The BBL franchises are permitted to select a maximum of two Cricket Australia-contracted players for the supplementary list, subject to their availability.

Derbies And Rivalries

The BBL 15 fixtures are packed with exciting rivalries, starting with a rematch of last year’s final between the Sydney Thunder and the Hobart Hurricanes on December 16.

The Melbourne derbies, featuring the Renegades and Stars, will take place on January 4 and 10 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Marvel Stadium, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Smash, a high-stakes encounter between Thunder and Sixers, is scheduled to take place on December 20 at the ENGIE Stadium, with the second fixture set for January 16 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

READ: Pakistan Champions unveil new jersey for WCL 2025

DUBAI: Pakistan players have declined in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings as the cricket governing body released updated positions on Wednesday.

The national players’ fall in rankings was due to a lack of red-ball fixtures this year, as Pakistan is scheduled to play only a Test series against South Africa. The series will mark the beginning of Pakistan’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign.

Among the players, Pakistan Test vice-captain Saud Shakeel slipped out of the top 10 batters’ rankings,  moving to 11th position with 739 rating points.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan is now in 19th place after falling three places. Meanwhile, Babar Azam has retained his spot, holding firm in 22nd position with 651 points.

India’s Rishabh Pant, who scored centuries in each innings of the Headingley Test against England, rose one spot to claim sixth place.

Joe Root still holds the number one spot in Test cricket, followed by his compatriot Harry Brook and New Zealand’s stalwart Kane Williamson.

In the ICC Test rankings of bowlers, Noman Ali, Pakistan’s sole representative among the top 10 bowlers, slipped to fifth place. Right-arm leg spinner Abrar Ahmed has slipped one spot to 48th place, while pacer Khurram Shahzad has dropped two spots to 62nd, and all-rounder Aamer Jamal is now positioned at 70th.

India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remained at the top of the bowling charts, followed by South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and Australia’s Pat Cummins.

READ: Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal maintains top spot in ICC Women’s T20I rankings

Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has backed ace batter Babar Azam to play his natural game amid criticism surrounding his strike rate.

Babar Azam, who last featured for Pakistan in a T20I series against South Africa in December 2024, has been under the spotlight due to his strike rate.

The right-hander has also experienced a dip in form, with his last T20 half-century coming against Ireland in 2024.

Faheem, who recently appeared on a Podcast, openly discussed his cricketing career. While addressing the question regarding Babar Azam, Faheem stated that due to social media, Babar is trying to adjust his game.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Now, social media and people are saying so much about Babar that he needs to change his game. For this reason, there are a lot of things that are not going in his favor.

“Earlier, Babar’s role was to build the innings, and the whole team was playing around him. If Fakhar Zaman played for a long time, then the match was ours. Now, our people have criticized Babar so much that he is trying to change his game, and for this reason, he is unable to perform in every match,” he said.

The right-hander mentioned criticism surrounding Babar Azam’s strike rate, stating that notable names in world cricket do not play with a strike rate of 200.

Speaking of his captaincy and match-winning abilities, he said, “Yes, we haven’t won any major event in his captaincy, but a player’s natural game should not change.”

“The way Babar plays his shots, if you demand that from me. That is wrong. Similarly, if you ask Babar to hit 6 sixes in an over. That’s wrong. If you ask Babar to stay out there and win the game. He will do it in his own way.” Faheem Ashraf concluded.

READ: Khawaja Nafay reveals valuable advice received from Viv Richards

India team stalwart Rohit Sharma has shed light on a funny incident that occurred during the high-stakes encounter between India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Rohit, who led India to glory in the 2024 World Cup, commented on the hilarious moment that occurred during the toss between India and Pakistan in the group stage encounter.

The right-handed batter revealed that, due to the atmosphere on the ground and Ravi Shastri’s enthusiasm, he had forgotten about the coin he had in his pocket.

“I’ll tell you what is happening. Look at him. In the blue, it’s Rohit Sharma ready to punch. In the green, it’s ready to counterpunch. These all things were happening there, so obviously it’s fun,” Rohit recalled Ravi Shastri’s depiction before the coin toss.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In the middle of everything, Ravi Shastri’s energy, and everything, I forgot the coin that I had for the toss,” he added.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Star Sports India (@starsportsindia)

Afterwards, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, who was standing next to Rohit Sharma, reminded him about the coin used for the toss.

Additionally, Babar Azam also asked the match referee for the coin and later reminded Rohit that he had it.

For the unversed, India clinched their second T20 World Cup title in 2024, after defeating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling contest.

The Men in Blue defended the target of 176 runs despite South Africa being firm till the last few overs.

India batting icon Virat Kohli starred in the match, hitting 76 off 59 balls despite having been out of form throughout the tournament.

READ: Mitchell Starc on the verge of major milestone in West Indies Test series