The thrilling tournament of PSL 2018 is approaching its end as the teams that will compete in the finale on March 25, at Karachi, have finally been decided. As the defending champion, Peshawar Zalmi has defeated Karachi Kings in Eliminator 2, the team will meet Islamabad United in final to defend its crown. Well, the semi-final at Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore was reduced to 16 overs, but the match has offered a takeaway in the form of Karachi Kings batsman Babar Azam’s performance.
The batsman succeeded in making 35 balls 50 in the match but couldn’t help his team to win. And, social media is saying that what player wanted to achieve was a customary fifty and not to lead his team to a decisive win.
Babar Azam.. MashAllah.. brilliantly crafted individual innings played in his own zone for his personal record books. 50 hi 50 hoti hai chaye jeet mai ho ya haar main. ???? #PZvKK
— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) 21 March 2018
Here is what happened.
Babar Azam Playing in Eliminator 2 of PSL 2018
Individually, it was a great inning for Babar Azam as he scored a half-century on 35 balls. The young cricketer also made to the ICC team of the year in ICC awards, due to his brilliant batting skills. But, the player faced extreme criticism from Twitterati for not playing in a prudent manner.
Kamran Akmal of Peshawar Zalmi had scored record 77 runs off 27 balls and leading his team to set a target of 177 runs. Well, achieving the 177 runs target in 16 overs for Karachi Kings was indeed difficult but it was not impossible. According to experts, it only required maintaining the desired run rate, and it was an easy win for the team.
What Exactly Was Required
Things became difficult for Karachi Kings when Babar Azam and Liam Dawson’s half-centuries couldn’t bring a meaningful contribution to the scoreboard. After the 8 overs run rate escalated to 13 per over. And finally, the team faced the situation when it needed 50 runs on 18 balls to win the match. Such a target was difficult to achieve given the massive pressure the team faced but it could be handled if the players understood the exact requirements.
Fans’ Reaction
Here is what fans and experts had to say at this moment.
Babar Azam is a good batsman but to be a great batsman he needs to play for his team. #KKvPZ
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) 21 March 2018
And. what wouldn’t make the cricketer great?
Jokes apart.. I will put up my two cents on this.. being a great batting talent and having the art to put up big runs won’t make Babar Azam great.. if he doesn’t start playing for the TEAM instead of himself. This is what I’ve observed no offence to anyone.
— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) 21 March 2018
Poor cricket by Babar Azam.
— حیا (@iHayaaaa_) 21 March 2018
Well, maybe Karachiites will hold this man responsible for not winning the game.
Poor cricket by Babar Azam.
— حیا (@iHayaaaa_) 21 March 2018
babar azam is so selfish I swear
— Ali (@AleyFarooq) 15 March 2018
A Takeaway
After Lahore Qalandar owner Fawad Rana’s resilience, the case of Karachi Kings batsman is another takeaway. If passion, resilience, and tolerance are the necessary traits then playing for the team in order to meet a common goal and not the individual goal is also necessary.
