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Pakistan skipper Babar Azam experienced an unexpected hiccup in his lead-up to the Asia Cup 2023. Facing Afghanistan in the first game of a 3-match ODI series in Hambantota, Azam was dismissed without scoring in the series opener, a crucial preparatory match before the much-anticipated Asia Cup kicks off on August 30.
Facing just three balls, Babar Azam's innings came to an abrupt end in the second over, bowled by Afghanistan's spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. With the on-field umpire declaring him out LBW instantly, Babar opted for a review after a brief discussion with his teammate Imam-ul-Haq. The Decision Review System (DRS), however, confirmed the on-field call, showing the ball was on track to hit the stumps.
To add to Pakistan's woes, opener Fakhar Zaman was sent back to the pavilion in the very first over by Fazahaq Farooqi. At a precarious 7 for 2, Mohammad Rizwan teamed up with Imam in hopes of stabilizing Pakistan's innings.
While Babar will undoubtedly be eager to return to his run-scoring form, especially with the Asia Cup starting in Multan on August 30 and the high-voltage clash against India on September 2, it's essential to remember the impact he's made in recent times.
Babar Azam's outstanding contributions during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 cannot be overlooked. Donning the jersey for the Colombo Strikers, Babar's bat danced to the tunes of runs, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Accumulating 261 runs in just eight innings, he boasted an average of 32.62, which made him the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament.
One performance that stands tall amongst others was his scintillating century against the Galle Titans on August 7th, 2023. With a swift century off just 59 balls, he propelled the Colombo Strikers to chase down a challenging target of 189 runs. This century catapulted Babar into an elite group of cricketers, equalling Chris Gayle's record of ten T20 centuries.
Despite the early exit in the recent ODI, Babar Azam's prowess with the bat remains undiminished, making him a pivotal player to watch out for in the upcoming Asia Cup.
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