The one-off test between Afghanistan and Ireland is currently underway at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi. This is the first match of the tour. It started with Afghanistan winning the toss and deciding to bat first, but it didn’t go well for them.
The whole team was dismissed for a low score of 155 runs in 54.5 overs. Ibrahim Zadran was the top scorer, scoring 53 runs at the top. The match is running very fast, and it looks like it will end within three days. However, apart from the cricket, there was a moment during the match that caught the attention of the cricket fans.
It happened when the official broadcaster of the Afghanistan vs Ireland series put the image of Babar Azam in place of Hashmatullah Shahidi, who is the captain of Afghanistan. As soon as Babar’s picture came on the screen, fans couldn’t control, and Twitter (now X) was filled with various reactions.
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) February 28, 2024
Notably, the former Pakistani captain is currently playing in the ongoing Pakistan Super League. He is leading the Peshawar Zalmi in the tournament. He has led Peshawar to three wins out of five matches so far.
Test century badhane ke liye afg se khel rha hai shame on zimbu
— sports lover (@Goatlu_18) February 28, 2024
After getting sacked from captaincy of Pakistan Babar Azam has decided to represent Afghanistan as a skipper
— 🏏 (@CrazyForCric8) February 28, 2024
Babar Afghani😂😂
— Qasim (@crickinfo1010) February 28, 2024
Konsa Nasha krte hai
— Sankott (@Iamsankot) February 28, 2024
Babar Zadran 🤣
— Zaid_Khan (@Zaidkhan636041) February 28, 2024
Kohli sending his son to play against Small nations 😂
— VK FC (@ViratKohli__VK) February 28, 2024
See The Smile 😃
— IPOArena (@IpoArena) February 28, 2024
Only Against Ireland
Babar preparing for T20 World Cup 2024 #BabarAzam𓃵
— Chor Chor Mausere Bhai (@ismeteraghaataa) February 28, 2024
Speaking of individual form, Babar Azam is currently the highest run scorer in the tournament. He smashed his 11th T20 century in the last game against Islamabad United and scored 111 not out from 63 balls. Babar has scored 330 runs in five innings at an average and strike rate of 82.50 and 151.38, respectively.
With the way Babar is performing, his form is looking very bright for Pakistan, considering the coming T20 World Cup 2024. Speaking of the Ireland and Afghanistan series. Both teams will play three ODIs and three T20Is. Afghanistan are coming off a horrible tour of Sri Lanka, where they won just one match in all three formats.
