'Sri Lanka do not have highways like Pakistan' - Fans react as Babar Azam fails to score big in LPL 2023 opener

Babar Azam (Source: Twitter)

The 2023 season of the Lanka Premier League has started on a good note. The first match between Jaffna Kings and Colombo Strikers saw the defending champions winning the game by 21 runs. On a good pitch in Colombo, the Strikers won the toss and invited the Kings to bat first. The defending champions batted well and scored 173 runs in their 20 overs.  

Towhid Hridoy performed well for the Kings as he scored 54 runs in 39 deliveries. Rahmanullah Gurbaz started well for the Kings and provided a fiery start at the top. Towards the end, captain Perera provided the finishing touches for Jaffna Kings, as they posted 173 runs. Naseem Shah, Matheesha Pathirana, Chamika Karunaratne, and Lakshan Sandakan picked a wicket each for the Strikers.  

174 was not an easy target to chase. It was probably 10 runs more than the par score on a wicket like Colombo. The powerplay overs were crucial for the success of the chasing side. Unfortunately, Colombo Strikers could not get the required start. Captain Niroshan Dickwella fired well from his end. But, at the other end, wickets fell in quick succession.  

Babar Azam fails against Jaffna Kings

The star batter Babar Azam could not bat well for his team. The 28-year-old scored 7 runs in 8 deliveries and was undone by the captain of the Kings. Thisara Perera cleaned up the Lahore-born batter and gave the upper hand to his side. A lot of fans hoped Azam to perform well for his team in the inaugural match of the season, but it was not to be.  

Only Niroshan Dickwella performed well for the Strikers. The Southpaw scored 58 runs in 34 deliveries and kept the Strikers alive in the run chase. The dismissal of the captain meant a collapse in the run chase of the Strikers. From 78/2 at one stage, the Strikers lost their last 8 wickets for just 74 runs. Jaffna Kings won the match by 21 runs and extended their winning streak in the league. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth got the Player of the Match award for his 2/17.   

Here's how the fans reacted to Babar Azam's failure -

HD Ackerman supremacy

He said on commentary "Babar Azam saw the team sheet and prabath Jayasuriya wasn't there so he's fine" 😂🤣😭

— Imjana (@Imjana1894) July 30, 2023

Yeah! Saw his hunger tonight. Oldie parera got him just 93 short of hundred.😂😂😂😂

— Dilli se (@kiroriwalanuj) July 30, 2023

But problem is Road srilankan don't have highways like pak 😂🤣😜

— Deepak Tezad (@DeepakTezad) July 30, 2023

Hunger for burger, pizza and ice-cream.

— Johanan (@Johanan79459432) July 30, 2023

Sahi baat hai aata nhi milega to hunger to hogi hi😞

— shivstanfc🔥 (@shivstanfc) July 31, 2023

its ok wase bhi nazar lag jati hai usay acha hai baad main acha khel lay ga wc main INSH

— Saima Qureshi (@SaimaAneesQ) July 30, 2023

But who will ask pcb to arrange series with C teams on highways 😭

— Hamza Javed 🇵🇰 (@im_Hamza18) July 30, 2023

Hunger to score 7 on 8 balls 😂

— Muhammad Muneeb (@memuneeeb) July 30, 2023

Psychiatrist ko dikhabhadwe

— Shariqsiddiqui45 (@Shariq45_) July 30, 2023

"babar will be back" you said , "to the pavillion" you didn't say 😂

— Error404 (@nsd_2k6) July 31, 2023

He will hardly score 150 runs in the whole tournament. Save the tweet

— nayab gohar (@nayabkhattak4) July 31, 2023