Former Pakistan captain and current Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam became the subject of playful trolling by Sam Billings, the English cricketer representing Lahore Qalandars in the ongoing PSL 10.
Billings recently shared an Instagram story highlighting the fastest and slowest fifties in the 2025 edition of the Pakistan Super League. In the post, he noted that he had scored a fifty in just 19 balls against Quetta Gladiators, while Babar Azam took 47 deliveries to reach the same milestone against Islamabad United.
The cheeky post sparked reactions across social media, with fans noting the contrast in their respective innings. While it appeared light-hearted, it added a competitive edge between players of opposing franchises.
Meanwhile, Babar’s performance in international Test cricket has also seen a dip. The former skipper has dropped out of the ICC Test top 20 rankings, now sitting in 21st place with 651 rating points. This decline comes after a disappointing home series against the West Indies, where he managed only 45 runs in four innings.
However, during the recent series against South Africa, Babar did show glimpses of form, scoring 193 runs across four innings, including three half-centuries.
In contrast, Mohammad Rizwan holds the 14th position with 671 points, while Salman Ali Agha is at 32. Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique have also seen minor improvements, now ranking 46th and 53rd, respectively.
At the top of the ICC Test batting rankings, Joe Root remainso. 1, followed by Harry Brook in second and Kane Williamson in third.
Interesting take on the social media post! It’s fascinating how something seemingly light-hearted can stir up such a competitive vibe. I wonder if the players intended for it to be taken this seriously or if it was just a playful jab. The contrast in their innings definitely adds fuel to the fire, though. Do you think this kind of banter actually motivates players or just creates unnecessary tension? I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether this kind of interaction is good for the sport or if it crosses a line. What’s your take on the balance between fun and rivalry in professional sports?