Pakistan White-ball captain Babar Azam and interim head coach Azhar Mahmood joined forces to stop chief selector Wahab Riaz from taking part in a six-hit contest.
This incident occurred last night during Pakistan’s training session at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which involved the coaching staff and players. The six-stroke competition was organized to help players shift their focus from rigorous training to fun activities. These types of activities help players keep their minds fresh for the challenges ahead.
All eyes are on Babar Azam and Co. in the 4th T20I against Kiwis in Lahore
Babar Azam’s side under observation for the 5-match T20I series against Azhar Mahmood New Zealand, will take on the Kiwis in the 4th T20I tonight. The series is currently level at 1-1 after the visitors fought back in the 3rd T20I after losing the 2nd game in Rawalpindi by 7 wickets. The 1st T20I could not take place due to excessive rain.
Babar Azam and his Pakistan team will want to make the most of this series on home soil. After the 5th T20I in Lahore, the Green Army will fly to Ireland for a three-match T20I series before crossing the borders to face England in a four-match T20I series. In total, the Asians still have 9 games left before the start of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 to find their best combination.
The Men in Green were semi-finalists and runners-up in the last two T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022. In the 2021 edition, which took place in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan lost to eventual champions Australia in the semi-finals.
At the following edition in the Land Down Under, Babar Azam led the team to the final, but lost to England, who equaled the West Indies for most T20 World Cup titles.
What did Babar and Azhar Mahmood say to Wahab Riaz?
In a video uploaded on the official X-handle of Pakistan Cricket Board, Babar Azam and Azhar Mahmood Wahab can be seen asking Riaz to stay away from the activity. While Babar looked frustrated, Mahmood told Wahab that the management was not allowed to take part in the competition.
Then Babar Azam started the six-hit activity with a four off the first ball. The right-hand batsman then made sure to send the ball into the Gaddafi Stadium stands on his final two attempts – one towards the screen and the other over long-on. Then people like Naseem Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Mahmood also took part.
Chief selector Wahab Riaz, who was initially denied participation in the competition, was later given a chance. After failing to score a six in his first two attempts, Riaz hit one on the side screen in his third attempt. This activity signals the atmosphere prevailing in the Pakistan dressing room and shows how positive the team is looking forward to the challenging next few months.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐁𝐈𝐆 💥
Check out the 6️⃣ hitting competition with the Pakistan T20I squad and support team 💪#PAKvNZ | #AaTenuMatchWithTheShow pic.twitter.com/PFxcMJPmMJ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 25, 2024