Babar Azam picked in Pakistan Team before Asia Cup 2025 amid immense pressure

Peshawar, Pakistan, is all set to witness the biggest superstars of their country in action for a heartwarming cause ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE next month. Even before the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan will play a T20I Tri-Series against Afghanistan and the UAE.

The Pakistani selector last month stunned one and all by overlooking their former captain Babar Azam for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 9 in the UAE, due to his old T20 style. In fact, Babar Azam has been out of the T20I team since the South Africa tour in 2024.

Babar Azam, Shahid Afridi, and Younis Khan to unite for Flood Relief Match in Peshawar

However, Babar Azam has now decided to put aside his personal disappointment and play for a special cause alongside the legendary cricketers like Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, and Kamran Akmal, while the Men in Green would be in action in the T20I Tri-Series.

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As reported by Cricket Pakistan, Babar Azam, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, and Kamran Akmal will be seen in action in a special Flood Relief Exhibition Match at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium on August 30. The match will carry the inspiring slogan “Khel Se Khidmat,” highlighting service through sports.

Ordinary seats at Rs 1,000, VIP and VVIP tickets in high demand

The Flood Relief Exhibition Match will see Peshawar Zalmi take the field against the Legends Eleven, which is expected to be watched by 17,000 fans at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium. The ordinary tickets are priced at Rs 1,000, while 200 VVIP and 800 VIP tickets are also available.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, and other cabinet members have already purchased the VVIP tickets at Rs 50,000 each to contribute to the cause. The newly completed stadium, after eight years of construction, has full amenities, including dressing rooms and a VVIP enclosure, and it is now fully ready to host the star-studded charity match.

The Flood Relief Exhibition Match between the Legends Eleven and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi will kick off at 1 pm local time, and all the money collected from ticket sales will go directly to flood-affected people in Pakistan. Babar Azam would be eager to make an impact after being dropped from the T20I side.

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Pakistan faces its worst flood crisis in decades

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Punjab is facing a severe flood crisis, with over 200,000 people evacuated as the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers overflow, as reported by the BBC. It is being said that the rescue teams are using boats to transfer residents to safe areas.

Even the army has been deployed in heavily affected districts. The flooding intensified after India reportedly released water from the Chenab dam, which worsened the situation in Pakistan’s most populous province. These monsoon rains have already killed over 800 people in Pakistan since June.

Adding to the worry, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned residents to avoid rivers, drains, and low-lying areas. Urban centers like Gujarat, Sialkot, and Lahore remain at high risk. On the other hand, Sialkot recorded a record-breaking rainfall in 24 hours, the heaviest in 49 years, submerging streets, cars, and homes.