Babar Azam is one of the top batters in the world right now. The right-handed batter does not play in overseas T20 leagues regularly, but he registered himself for The Hundred 2022 Draft. Azam was among the names present in the highest category in the draft.
While Babar Azam has done well in English conditions, none of the eight teams signed him at the Draft. Along with him, some other big names like Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, Tabraiz Shamsi and Mohammad Amir also did not get a contract.
However, the hopes are not over for all the star players because they can play in The Hundred 2022 as a wildcard pick. In June 2022, all teams will have a chance to sign their fourth wildcard local player and wildcard international player. So, there is still a chance for them to come back.
Many fans were surprised to see Babar Azam not received a contract at the draft, but later on, it was pointed out that he could miss matches in the tournament if he prefers playing for Pakistan in the series against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Commentator Aatif Nawaz shared that view on Twitter and wrote:
“Disappointing none of the teams in The Hundred acquired the services of Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam. £125,000 is steep & he may well be available sparingly but feels like a missed opportunity. Not just to have the world number 1 in your team, but also…sell A LOT of shirts!”
Twitter reacts as Babar Azam is not selected in The Hundred
Fans had different reactions to Azam not fetching a contract. Here’s the members of the cricket universe reacted:
Babar Azam not picked in The Hundred Draft. International team captain not picked
— Gurjot Singh (@GurjotS85765670) April 5, 2022
Pakistani players in The Hundred
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) April 5, 2022
Naseem Shah – Welsh Fire
Wahab Riaz – Northern Superchargers
Headline: Chris Gayle, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, David Warner, Aaron Finch & Mohammad Amir have went unsold in the draft of The Hundred.#TheHundredDraft #PAKvAUS #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/IL8nLR9sYu
BREAKING: Babar Azam who was in highest category of The Hundred draft, has gone unsold. pic.twitter.com/Rx5IvLzUHE
— Ali (@DiCruSe69) April 5, 2022
Babar Azam didn't get picked for the hundred tournament owing to his partial availability……#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/bbLRiu4eW9
— Junaid Khawar (@jjkhawar) April 5, 2022
Disappointing none of the teams in The Hundred acquired the services of Pakistan's captain Babar Azam. £125,000 is steep & he may well be available sparingly but feels like a missed opportunity. Not just to have the world number 1 in your team, but also…sell A LOT of shirts! pic.twitter.com/hdfSVrc4lT
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) April 5, 2022
The Hundred Draft Update:
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerWeb) April 5, 2022
David Warner, Chris Gayle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Amir and Aaron Finch have gone unsold in the draft of @thehundred 2022. pic.twitter.com/pZmUIfCCb5
The Hundred Draft Update:
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerWeb) April 5, 2022
David Warner, Chris Gayle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Amir and Aaron Finch have gone unsold in the draft of @thehundred 2022. pic.twitter.com/pZmUIfCCb5
Babar Azam and Mohammad Amir went unsold at The Hundred… pic.twitter.com/NSKiJx9AW6
— Ibrahim Mahmood (@Chailoverrr) April 5, 2022
