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Babar Azam (Source-Twitter)
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Babar Azam (Source-Twitter)Despite ending up on the winning side, Pakistan's match against Afghanistan match turned out to be a nightmare for skipper Babar Azam, as he was dismissed for a duck and registered an unwanted record as a captain. The pressure of leading his team seemed to have gotten the better of him, resulting in a disappointing performance.
As the captain, Babar Azam carries the responsibility of leading his team both on and off the field. With high expectations from fans and selectors alike, he is expected to set an example with his batting prowess. However, in this particular match, he failed to deliver when it mattered most.
Choosing to bat first, Pakistan lost an early wicket in Fakhar Zaman, who was dismissed LBW by Mujeeb Ur Rehman. Babar was removed for a duck for the fourth time in the 50-over format, and the second time as captain. He has now equalled the record set by 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Azhar Ali, and Younis Khan.
The 28-year-old batsman is currently ranked fourth on the list, which is led by Wasim Akram's eight duck dismissals. Inzamam-Ul-Haq and Moin Khan are second and third with four apiece, and Misbah-ul-Haq is third with three.
A booming start for Pakistan in preparation for Asia Cup 2023
Pakistan began their preparations for the 2018 Asia Cup with a 142-run victory over Afghanistan in the opening ODI on Tuesday. The Babar Azam-led side has seized a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after thrashing Afghanistan for 59 in a 202-run chase.
As the Asia Cup and World Cup are nearby even Pakistan has left on the winning side, this match proved to be a nightmare for Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. Being dismissed for a duck and registering an unwanted record as a captain highlights areas that need improvement in both his batting technique and leadership skills. It is now up to him to reflect upon this performance and come back stronger in future matches.