Pakistan captain Babar Azam has impressed one and all with his batting performance against Australia in the second One Day International. He led the side to the highest ever run chase and smacked his fastest ODI century in the process. The fans might have been impressed by his efforts, but he is yet to impress the Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi.
Babar scored an 83-ball 114; the highest ever run scored by a Pakistan captain against the Australia cricket team. He also became the fastest to reach 15 centuries in fewer innings. He remained composed throughout the innings but was dismissed, with Pakistan still needing 40 runs to seal the historic win.
However, in his tweet, Afridi remarked that Babar Azam still needs to step up as a match-winner.
The former cricketer wrote, "Amazing WIN🇵🇰! Good start by @babarazam258 but lost his tempo, waiting for him to step up as a match-winner.
Regardless, great overall performances by @KhushdilShah_ @ImamUlHaq12 @iShaheenAfridi". He added, "You made us proud, Keep it up boys."
This is not the very time when Afridi has been cryptic with his remarks. The former Pakistan captain has taken digs on countless cricketers starting from Sachin Tendulkar, Shoiab Akhtar, Misbah Ul Haq, Shaheen Afridi, Gautam Gambhir, Kapil Dev, et al.
However, in the second ODI against Australia, Pakistan chased down 349 in the 49th over for the loss of just four wickets.
Meanwhile, Afridi's comments on Babar did not go well with the netizens, who criticized the former Pakistan cricketer by calling his tweet 'distasteful'. Some of them also asked 'Lala' to explain precisely where the all-format Pakistan captain had lost the tempo.
Apart from the controversial saga, the series is now levelled at 1-1 as Australia won the first match. The final ODI of the series will be played at Lahore on April 2.