WATCH: Babar Azam Greeted With Massive Cheers At Faislabad Ahead of Pakistan’s Champions One-Day Cup 2024 Tournament
Pakistan limited-overs captain Babar Azam will not be leading any of the five teams in the upcoming Pakistan’s Champions One-Day Cup 2024 tournament which gets underway at Faislabad on Thursday (September 12). But the loudest cheers where in store for Babar when he came out for practice for Mohammad Haris-led Stallions team on Sunday (September 8).
A massive crowd turned out at Faislabad stadium to watch the training session of the Stallions team, which has been chosen by team’s mentor and former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik. Babar Azam got a thunderous ovation after practice, when he came out to wave to the Faislabad crowd from the player’s balcony at the stadium.
WATCH Faislabad crowd reaction when Babar Azam turns up for practice HERE…
Babar Azam’s craze in Faisalabad! Just look at the crowd and their reaction. It’s just a practice day #BabarAzam #BabarAzam #PakistanCricket
— King Babar Azam Army (@kingbabararmy) September 9, 2024
The Stallions also includes the like of Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood, wicketkeeper Azam Khan, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and pacer Haris Rauf. Babar and the Stallions are set to begin their campaign on Friday, September 13 against the Lions, who will be led by pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Babar Azam is currently going through a rough patch, scoring only 64 runs in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh in which home side Pakistan were whitewashed 2-0. There is speculation that Babar Azam may be sacked as limited-overs captain ahead of their series against Australia later this year.
According to reports, white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten has already had discussion with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has been tipped to succeed Babar as captain in ODIs and T20I matches.
All games in Pakistan’s One-day Cup 2024 will take place in Faisalabad, with the tournament running from September 12 to 29 with Playoffs matches rather than semi-finals. The tournament concludes eight days before the start of the first Test between Pakistan and England.
Each side in the One-day Cup has announced extended squad lists, which are going to be trimmed by Tuesday (September 10). Sarfaraz Ahmed is the only player-mentor for the Dolphins. Misbah ul Haq (Wolves), Shoaib Malik (Stallions), Saqlain Mushtaq (Panthers) and Waqar Younis (Lions) are the other mentors.