During the 2nd T20I between Australia and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), emotions ran high as Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam found himself at the centre of an unexpected confrontation with the Pakistani fans.

Fans’ criticism sparks tension

While fielding near the boundary ropes during Australia’s innings, a group of Pakistan supporters began heckling the former captain in Punjabi, questioning his place in the T20I format.

One fan was heard yelling, “Your performance doesn’t fit the demands of T20 cricket; it might be better to return to Pakistan.”

The comments visibly caught Babar’s attention as he turned to glare at the fans, staring back with an intensity that suggested he was far from unaffected.

The verbal jabs continued, with another fan provocatively taunting, “Oh, are you angry now? Go ahead, stare some more… just keep dropping catches and then applauding everyone else.”

Here is the video:

Pakistani fans at SCG to Babar Azam:

Have some shame, you have no place in T20s, go back to Pakistan.

(Babar hears, gets angry and stares at them)

Fans: Oh you got angry? Come on, stare once again…just drop catches and then clap for others.

Ngl the Punjabi is epic 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Afe9ASiV0N

— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) November 17, 2024

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Opportunity for redemption 

Babar’s frustration during the match seemed to mirror his struggles with the bat in the ongoing series. Australia secured a 13-run victory in the second T20I, clinching the three-match series 2-0 with one game still to be played at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Monday, November 18. Babar’s poor form has been a key talking point, as he managed only 6 runs across the two matches.

In the series opener, he was dismissed cheaply for 3 by Nathan Ellis, and in the second game, he fell again for the same score, this time to Xavier Bartlett. With the series already lost, the pressure is mounting on the Pakistani batter to deliver a strong performance in the final T20I, both for his team’s morale and to silence his critics.

The final T20I presents a crucial opportunity for both Babar and the Pakistan team to regain some confidence after a disappointing series. For Babar, in particular, it’s a chance to remind fans and critics alike of his capabilities as one of the premier batters in the world. A strong showing could help to defuse the growing criticism surrounding his recent form in the shortest format.

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