[Watch] "129 ka strike rate aise hi mila hai?" - When Ramiz Raja hilariously trolled Babar Azam over his workout picture
While Babar Azam is renowned as one of the most prolific batters of the modern era, it's also true that he's often trolled over his strike rate in the T20I format. According to some fans and experts, the Pakistan captain doesn't go all-out in the T20 format, which hurts the team at times.
Former Pakistan captain and ex-Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja has also been critical in his views on Babar. However, in a throwback video, which seems to be from a chat show, Raja is seen taking a lighthearted dig at Babar's strike rate, with the latter responding with a sporting smile.
In the clip, an image of the Pakistan captain is shown on the big screen in which Babar has been captured in a funny pose during a workout session. Here's the video:
When the picture appears on screen, Raja and Babar begin an interesting conversation, which goes as follows:
Ramiz Raja: "Pehle to ye batao, kisliye hai ye exercise - balance? [First tell me, what is this exercise for?]"
Babar Azam: "Yeh balance ke liye aur mostly abs aur shoulders ke liye bhi. [This is mostly for balance, abs and shoulders.]"
Ramiz Raja: "Toh farak pada? 129 ka strike rate aise hi mila hai? [So did it make a difference? This is how you have got a strike rate of 129?]"
Babar Azam: [Smiles sheepishly] strike rate...
Babar is leading Pakistan in a four-match T20I series in England. The hosts are 1-0 up in the series. While the first match at Headingley in Leeds was abandoned due to rain, England beat Pakistan by 23 runs in the second game at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
The third T20I was scheduled to begin at 11 pm IST on Tuesday, May 28 at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, but the toss had been delayed due to rain.
Video of Babar Azam getting irked by fans went viral on social media ahead of 4th T20I
On Tuesday, a video of Babar getting angry at some fans in Cardiff went viral on social media. In the clip, the Pakistan captain is seen engaged in a discussion with someone.
He initally requests fans who mobbed him for a selfie to give him a few minutes. Later, though, he's seen in an agitated mood and ask fans to go away.
Babar was dismissed for 32 off 26 in the second T20I in Birmingham as Pakistan finished on 160, chasing 184. He hit four fours before being trapped lbw by Moeen Ali.