Watch: Babar Azam Hits Mohammad Rizwan

Pakistan‘s World Cup campaign came to an end on Saturday (November 11). The Babar Azam-led side suffered a 93-run defeat at the hands of reigning champions England in their last league game.

While Pakistan’s chances of making it to the semifinals were all but over even before the game started, they were still mathematically alive. However, the slim chances vanished as soon as England opted to bat first. As the game progressed, it became increasingly clear that Pakistan would have to wait for at least four more years to reach the semifinals of an ODI World Cup, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2011.

A viral video from the game has captured the mood of Pakistan captain Babar Azam. The video shows Babar Azam apparently preventing his teammate Mohammad Rizwan from celebrating a wicket. The incident took place in the 41st over when Shaheen Afridi dismissed a well-set Ben Stokes for 84.

While Babar Azam made sure to acknowledge Afridi’s achievement by patting him on the back, he quickly stopped Rizwan from celebrating the dismissal. As Rizwan was trying to give Afridi a high-five, his captain tried to stop him in an animated manner.

Watch:

Babar saying "ziyada khush hone ki zarurat nahi hai" ???? pic.twitter.com/RpSaUvZeD4

— Mehwish (@Mehwish474) November 11, 2023

Babar Azam & Co. suffer defeat:

Babar Azam and his teammates bowed out of the World Cup with a crushing defeat. Batting first, England scored 337 for 9 in the allotted 50 overs thanks to half-centuries from Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Ben Stokes. In reply, the Men in Green were bowled out for just 244 runs. It was Pakistan’s fifth defeat in the competition. The 1992 World Cup winners finished at the fifth spot in the points table with 4 wins and 5 losses.

“Yes, very disappointed with the performance. If we had won SA match, could’ve been a different story. But yes, have made mistakes in bowling, batting and fielding. We gave 20-30 runs extra. Bowled few loose deliveries. Our spinners haven’t taken wickets. That’s had a big effect. If spinners don’t take wickets in the middle over, you struggle,” Babar Azam said after the game.

Meanwhile, India, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand have booked their spot in the semifinals. First-placed India will take on New Zealand in the first semifinal in Mumbai on November 15 before South Africa and Australia lock horns against each other on the next day in Kolkata.