In a thrilling encounter between Rangpur Riders and Durdanto Dhaka in the ongoing BPL 2024 season, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam stole the spotlight for reasons beyond his dynamic batting. A heated confrontation unfolded between Azam and Durdanto Dhaka's wicket-keeper, Irfan Sukkur, resulting in a verbal spat that left spectators and players alike in shock. As the Riders faced off against Dhaka, Babar Azam, accompanied by Brandon King, took the field to open the innings. However, Azam's struggle to find his rhythm in the initial overs drew frustration. Failing to capitalize on the powerplay, Babar's discontent grew, setting the stage for a dramatic turn of events later in the match.
What happened to Babar Azam there? ___ #BPL2024 pic.twitter.com/gSKPqCQr9Y
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 27, 2024
Chants of BABAR , BABAR in Bangladesh __ #BabarAzam_
— Ehtisham Siddique (@iMShami_) January 27, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Z3HWT2fsfz
Amidst Babar's evident frustration, things escalated when Dhaka's Irfan Sukkur accused Azam of directing foul language towards him. What ensued was an intense exchange, with Azam vehemently denying any intentional aggression towards Sukkur. Despite attempts from the umpires and Dhaka's captain to diffuse the situation, Babar Azam's anger reached its pinnacle, leading to a barrage of abuses directed at the wicket-keeper.
Remarkably, Babar Azam channeled his anger and frustration into a match-winning performance, guiding the Riders to an impressive total of 183 runs. This turn of events showcased Azam's ability to transform adversity into motivation on the cricket field.
The BPL 2024 has been a mixed bag for Babar Azam, with notable innings and the recent outburst casting a shadow over his form. The star batsman, grappling with a challenging phase in his career post the ODI World Cup, is eager to regain his prime form, especially with the T20 World Cup looming on the horizon.
Despite the controversy, Babar Azam's stellar knock of 62 runs from 46 deliveries proved pivotal in Rangpur Riders' victory. The team, led by Azam's inspiring performance, secured a convincing win as Dhaka was bundled out for a meager 104 runs. The triumph positions Rangpur Riders at the fourth spot in the points table.