Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is rested for the World Cup 2023 warm-up game against Australia in Hyderabad. Shadab Khan, who is filling in, cracks a cheeky joke about his captain’s absence during the toss.
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Coming as a stand-in captain for the toss, Shadab Khan revealed the playing XI for the warm-up fixture. He confirmed that Babar and Mohammad Rizwan were rested to manage their workload ahead of their opening game against the Netherlands on October 6.
However, the lines that followed after the announcement left everyone in splits.
The spin-bowling all-rounder jokingly teased his captain on air, saying he would make him carry drinks and field for the team.
“Babar Azam will field and carry drinks as well. I am that type of captain,” said the smiling 24-year-old.
Shadab Khan is captaining and Babar Azam is resting. But Shadab says, “I will make Babar field and carry drinks. I am that sort of captain.” 😅 #CWC23
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/SharyOfficial/status/1709122482932756571
Babar, who scored 80 (84) and Rizwan, an unbeaten 100, looked in ominous touch in their first warm-up match against New Zealand on September 29. Pakistan lost their match despite posting a mammoth 345-5.
Meanwhile, Australia’s first practice game against the Netherlands on September 30 was washed out. Chasing a DLS target of 167 in 23 overs, Netherlands were reduced to 84-6 in 14.2 overs before rain played a spoilsport. Mitchell Starc breathed fire with the ball as he took a hat-trick.
Shadab’s recent form with the ball is a concern for his team. In Asia Cup 2023, he picked six wickets from five games at an underwhelming average of 40.83 and an economy of 5.88. The 4-27 came against Nepal, a relatively weaker team compared to India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
