Former South Africa cricketer Herschelle Gibbs took a sly dig at Pakistan captain Babar Azam during their match against New Zealand in the 2023 ODI World Cup. New Zealand have set a mammoth target of 402 after being asked to bat first at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, November 4. Pakistan were in the driver’s seat when play was halted by rain in 21.3 overs, but Gibbs was unimpressed by Babar’s intent. .
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The Men in Green suffered an early setback when in-form opener Abdullah Shafique was dismissed cheaply in the second over. However, Fakhar Zaman’s blazing innings helped Pakistan to stay in the hunt. While Zaman came out all guns blazing at one end, Babar was playing sensibly as an anchor.
Had it been a first innings or a moderate score chase, Babar’s approach would not have drawn criticism. Chasing a massive target, the captain should have played a bit more aggressively when his partner was striking above 150. This is what exactly made Gibbs raise his eyebrow and make a cheeky remark about Babar’s slow innings.
The former Proteas opener took to his “Can someone tell babar they are chasing 400…,” he wrote.
Can someone tell babar they chasing 400 …
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) November 4, 2023
Pakistan are 10 runs ahead of the required DLS score
At the time rain stopped the play at Chinnaswammy, Pakistan has reached a score of 160/1 in 21.3 overs. Babar is batting with 47 off 51 balls, while Zaman is steady after notching up his 11th ODI century. The southpaw registered a 63-ball ton to register the fastest century by a Pakistani batsman in the ODI World Cup. His quick-fire knock has put Pakistan 10 runs ahead of the required DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) score.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 401-6 on the back of a stunning partnership between Rachin Ravindra and captain Kane Williamson. The duo put on 180 runs for the second wicket with Ravindra scoring his third century of the tournament and Williamson fell short of just 5 runs for his well-deserved hundred. Glenn Phillips’ firing in the end (41 off 25) was also crucial.
Here’s how fans reacted to Herschelle Gibbs’ taking dig at Babar Azam:
Fakhar doing double shift so Babar can chill
— KK (@ka_mylll) November 4, 2023
Go slow and steady and win the race 🙃
— Don Cricket 🏏 (@doncricket_) November 4, 2023
Babar be like – pic.twitter.com/ivwVVXJk16
— TauTumhare (@TauTumhare) November 4, 2023
Fakhar Zaman putting pressure on Babar
— Pandu Raj (@CSKianPanduRaj) November 4, 2023
He is not looking for Target
he is playing for his number 1 ranking— Groot 🚩 (@IAmGrootX18) November 4, 2023
Gibbs destroyed Babar 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/s7b3rwUuJH
—Sunny 😊 (@being_sunny1) November 4, 2023
Meanwhile Ling Babar Azam: Made another half century at Slow-Strike Rate and also saved No.1 Ranking😋 pic.twitter.com/pqAkk1O0g3
— Pulkit🇮🇳 (@pulkit5Dx) November 4, 2023
He is only worried about his rankings and Biryani
—Rainbow Salt (@Rainbowsalts91) November 4, 2023
Babar Azam was just anchoring the inning and Fakhar Zaman was accelerating so he couldn’t through his wicket as wicket in hand is always a key.
— King Babar Azam Army (@babarazamking_) November 4, 2023
— Div🦁 (@div_yumm) November 4, 2023
