New Delhi: As the India-Pakistan face-off in the ICC T20 World Cup nears, fans in the neighbouring country are pinning all hopes on captain Babar Azam. They have found their own ‘King’ in Babar, who according to them, is better than King Kohli.
Twitter is flooded with memes in which Babar is seen dominating Kohli. One such tweet showed Kohli, an all-time great, trying to grab Babar’s attention from the lawns as the Pakistani captain stands in the balcony, all suited, wearing aviators and not even looking at the Indian captain.
Kohli so happy to meet babar azam pic.twitter.com/X3AlVJK0UZ
— U. (@YyoungDesi7) October 16, 2021
Pakistanis also hope Babar sees the future (of the tournament). An account posted Babar’s picture in which he is seen holding a DSLR while lying flat on the ground, trying to click a picture; the caption reads “Where is #T20WorldCup21 Trophy”, as if the Pakistani opener was looking for it in the lens.
Where is #T20WorldCup21 Trophy ?#BabarAzamWorld #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/gdX5uTf4Ji
— Babar Azam World (@BabarAzamWorld) October 19, 2021
Another account interpreted this picture as Babar doing his homework on India before the 24 October clash.
Agent @babarazam258 trying to see strengths and weaknesses of Indian Team ahead of 24th’s big clash ?? pic.twitter.com/KYnC0GMBiz
— Nabeel Hashmi (@iNabeelHashmi) October 19, 2021
Most Pakistani fans seem hopeful of their team ending the long drought of wins against India at ICC tournaments. A user predicted this with confidence: “Babar azam will be the first captain to beat India in World cup”
Some even find Babar’s cricket “Batter (better) Then Drugs”, said another ‘King Babar’ fan.
Really Its Batter Then Drugs …….. ? ❤️✌️ @babarazam258 #KingBabar pic.twitter.com/HMy6ubecHa
— Muawaz Waheed (@muawaz_malik) October 20, 2021
Then there are those who are saying the Pakistani captain’s batting was “good for mental health”.
The fanfare around Babar also extended to his ‘sportsmanship’ for embracing West Indies’ Kieron Pollard after the practice match.
Nice day for #t20worldcup. Sportsmanship was on another level in #PAKvWI ??. Babar Azam with Kieron Pollard ?. Two goats of T20 Cricket ??. #Pakistan vs #WestIndies pic.twitter.com/O5Bx2rZM4R
— Muhammad Kaif ?? #TeamPakistan (@muhammadkaif158) October 18, 2021
For Pakistanis, Babar may be ruthless to bowlers but as a captain, he is a true gentleman. A user quoted the gesture of the Pakistani captain during the game against the West Indies.
A great gesture from Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, Hetmyer was given out by umpires but he indicated that he didn't edge the ball & then Babar called him back. pic.twitter.com/6iW49T8PuG
— Ali Raza Bukhari (@aliraza_rp) October 18, 2021
In the warm-up match against the West Indies, Pakistan chased the total with more than four overs to spare as ‘King’ Babar scored a quick-fire half century.
While some called him ‘Mr Reliable’, others believed that it is because of Babar that Pakistan would lift the T20 trophy this year.
A fan page dedicated to the Pakistani skipper – ‘Babar Azam Lovers’ – put up a meme showing a couple watching Babar Azam lift the ICC trophy, on TV. The photo on the screen was of Babar with a trophy that was as tall as him!
That day isn't far away!?❤️#BabarAzamBirthday #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/ets2YrPEFH
— Babar Azam Lovers (@BabarAzam_Lover) October 15, 2021
Pakistani Twitter also couldn’t stop laughing at ‘King Babar’s’ banter with teammate Shadab Khan. During the match against the West Indies, Babar reproached Khan for not being quick enough after the latter missed a run out opportunity. “Buddha ho gaya, jawani vich tera run out se (you’ve gotten old, you would have run him out in your youth),” said Babar during the match.
"Budha hogaya hai"? ?
Babar Azam to Shadab after a slow throw during practice match against WI today ??#t20worldcup2021 #Pakistan #westindies pic.twitter.com/GIlcJz9ANk
— Munib Hamid (@MunibHamid) October 18, 2021
(Edited by Anurag Chaubey)