In the chaotic symphony called cricket, there are often players who bring a refreshing dose of humor. Babar Azam typically plays the role of the cool strategist, but on the third day of the first Test against the West Indies, he decided to sprinkle some mischief into the game.
Picture this: It’s the third morning, and Pakistan is desperately trying to stretch their meager lead. Alas, the middle and lower order succumbed to Jomel Warrican’s immaculate bowling, folding up for a staggering 157 runs. As Pakistan set their eyes on a target of 261, the West Indies batsmen realized they were about to face the spin wizardry of Abrar Ahmed and Sajid Khan. Spoiler alert: it didn’t end well for the West Indies, much like a candy diet doesn’t end well for a toddler.
Sajid, with his stellar debut, took the first victim when Kraigg Brathwaite decided he could play Superman. Spoiler: he couldn’t. Brathwaite’s heroic attempts were extinguished, and soon after, Keacy Carty walked back after a failed sweep attempt. Enter Babar, stage left, ready to juggle domestic disputes and cricket tricks alike.
Now here’s where the fun truly begins. On the second ball of the seventh over, Sajid bowled an offie that didn’t even need a GPS to track it down. Carty, after deciding that showing off your spin-sweeping skills in Test cricket is akin to attempting a backflip on a tightrope, ended up top-edging the ball straight towards the heavens. Babar and Rizwan, like two eager puppies, rushed toward the catch with all the grace of a drunken elephant.
As the ball hovered, Babar, equipped with his keen sense of opportunism, executed a verbal catch: “I’ve got it!” But Rizwan, probably channeling his inner ego, claimed the catch instead. Babar, feeling generous, decided to celebrate this monumental act of teamwork in a way that only he could: by patting Sajid’s bald head and mimicking Rizwan’s catch in such a hilariously exaggerated manner that you’d think he was auditioning for a comedy sketch.
It’s not every day that you witness heartfelt camaraderie portrayed through slapstick humor on a cricket field! His antics went viral faster than gossip at a high school reunion. Social media exploded with hilarity as fans captured Babar, the unlikeliest prankster of the season, leaving everyone wondering: should he consider a career in comedy?
Despite the occasional jests, one thing’s clear: Babar knows how to uplift spirits. With sarcasm thicker than a plotting thriller novel, tweets about the game were flying around like confetti. One fan lamented, “Why is Noman Ali not bowling? This mistri Abrar is useless…,” while another remarked, “Test cricket in Pakistan is not boring anymore!” Well, congratulations, my friend, you have just won the sarcasm award.
So, as the West Indies bowled and Pakistan batted, it became evident that the cricket field isn’t just for stats; it’s also the stage for impromptu comedy shows. Cheers to Babar—our MVP (Most Valuable Prankster)! Just remember, the next time you think cricket is dull, check for a Babar Azam in the mix. Because if he’s around, you’re in for a hilarious game!