Babar Azam breaches protocols after undergoing COVID-19 test

Babar Azam, the Pakistan all-format skipper, is said to have breached the COVID-19 protocols. The youngster last played for the Karachi Kings in the 2021 Pakistan Super League (PSL), which had to be postponed after a few coronavirus cases in the tournament.

In the T20 event, Babar had scores of 62, 90*, and 77*, and looked in ominous touch with the bat in hand. The 26-year-old underwent a COVID-19 test at the National High Performance Centre after which he went to meet the DG of Pakistan Sports Board.

As per The Express Tribune’s journalist Zaid Hassan, the Lahore-born was supposed to join the bio-security bubble on Thursday, March 18.

Sad to see Babar Azam breaching Covid-19 protocols

Met DG Pakistan Sports Board today after undergoing Covid-19 at National HPC yesterday. He is supposed to join bio-bubble tomorrow

Almost hit another car while avoiding media

— Zaid Hassan (@CricHassan) March 17, 2021

Babar Azam might become Sarfaraz 2.0: Shoaib Akhtar

Earlier, Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistan fast bowler, said that Babar could end up becoming the next version of Sarfaraz Ahmed if he doesn’t step down from captaincy. Akhtar’s comments came after reports of Babar being unhappy with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over team selections have been doing the rounds.

“We are hearing that Babar Azam is calling [PCB] and saying that his suggestions have been ignored regarding squad selection. If Babar Azam is so hurt and wants to become a brand, then he should resign right now and send a message that this can’t happen again. If he doesn’t do this, then he will become Sarfaraz part two,” Akhtar was quoted as saying on PTV Sports.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, another retired Pakistan cricketer, put forth the importance of Babar’s role in the team. “The important thing is that team is selected with consultation and I have already said many times that the most important person is the captain.

“Chief selector and coach are not the most important people because they can’t go inside the ground and the captain who has to make the team fight inside he should have the confidence,” Inzamam had said.

After being made the skipper in all three formats, Babar has shown his class. Under his leadership, Pakistan defeated South Africa in the Test and T20I series. He made his debut back in 2021 and has churned out over 8,000 runs for the national team. He already has 17 tons and 48 fifties to his name and he is regarded as one of the best batters in the current generation.