Never a man for the brute force of power hitting, not one to ignite a cult of muscle and swagger, they handed him a prescription for something he was never meant to be, flattened bats, brutal swings, and reckless shots.
They forced him into roles he never fit, threw him into the wrong numbers in T20s like a square peg in a round hole.
They condemned him, banished him from their dreams, and dropped him as though he were some faded memory.
His supporters, those few who still believed, watched helplessly as he spiraled, stuck in a cycle that had no end, not even a glimmer of salvation. The abyss was deep, and we were all falling into it.
And then, the PSL.
Whoever hummed in his ear to strip it all back, to return to the elegant craft that first made him great, may their name be sung in the halls of cricketing redemption.
For what Babar Azam has achieved since, that is Babar Azam for you. Not the noise of the power hitter they once tried to make him, but the elegance, the poise, the precision, pure cricket. A delectable display that left us all breathless.
Whether he returns to T20 Internationals or doesn’t, what does it matter? The very question feels hollow now, like a forgotten echo.
For us, those who once believed, then lost belief, then cursed him as he tumbled into the abyss, the answer lies not in his place on a team sheet but in the simple, beautiful defiance of what he’s done.
We had become disillusioned, eyes dimmed by disappointment, hearts heavy with resignation. Even we, the last of his faithful, hissed in dark corners that perhaps it was time to abandon the stage of the glitzy, fleeting game, let him walk away from the circus that never quite suited him.
And yet, here he stands, smashing eggs on our faces with every stroke, every effortless flick and punch of the bat.
He, the man we almost gave up on, now makes a mockery of our doubts. What was once despair is now a delicious irony. For those of us who lost hope, his resurgence is a rebuke, a reminder that cricket doesn’t always follow the script we write for it.
May his form continue to shine. The Test century in Bangladesh is surely waiting, and we’ll all be there, eager to witness the next phase.
@iRashidLatif68@AbdurRoufKhan6@RabeeaSK@MuhammadWasim77@KamranMuzaffer
In International cricket, where courage speaks louder than noise, Sarfraz Ahmed stood for Pakistan with unblinking resolve. From lifting the ICC U-19 World Cup to that luminous ICC Champions Trophy 2017 night, from 11 straight T20I series triumphs to guiding Pakistan to No.1 in the format, his was a captaincy of nerve and heart.
54 Tests, 117 ODIs, 61 T20Is, numbers that mark a journey, but not its spirit. The true measure lies in the pride he carried, the battles he kept, and the green flag he served without blemish.
Pakistan cricket thanks you, Sarfraz, our Saifi with gratitude, with memory, and with emotion.
@SarfarazA_54
Alhamdulillah for everything. Honored to receive the Player of the Match award in my debut series for Pakistan 🇵🇰. This moment is dedicated to my family for their prayers and to my coaches for their belief and guidance.
#Pakistan🇵🇰❤️
A joint statement by former international captains Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Sunil Gavaskar, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Steve Waugh, John Wright on behalf of Imran Khan:
"We, the undersigned former captains of our national cricket teams, write with deep concern regarding the reported treatment and incarceration conditions of Imran Khan, the distinguished former Captain of Pakistan and a legendary figure in world cricket.
Imran Khan's contributions to the game are universally admired. As captain, he led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory - a triumph built on skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders.
Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit. He remains one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen, earning respect from players, fans, and administrators alike.
Beyond cricket, Imran Khan served as Prime Minister of Pakistan, leading his nation during a challenging period. Regardless of political perspectives, he holds the honour of having been democratically elected to the highest office in his country.
Recent reports concerning his health - particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody - and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern.
As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour, and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan's stature deserves to be treated with the dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and a global sporting icon.
We respectfully urge the Government of Pakistan to ensure that Imran Khan receives:
Immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing to address his reported health issues.
Humane and dignified conditions of detention in line with international standards, including regular visits by close family members.
Fair and transparent access to legal processes without undue delay or hindrance.
Cricket has long been a bridge between nations. Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn - and respect endures. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career.
We call on authorities to honour it now by upholding the principles of decency and justice.
This appeal is made in the spirit of sportsmanship and common humanity, without prejudice to any legal proceedings"
Fourteen former international captains from five Test nations have requested the Pakistan government to ensure better prison treatment for ex-captain Imran Khan, expressing concerns over his health.
The appeal - drafted by Greg Chappell and sent to PM Shehbaz Sharif - is backed by Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Belinda Clark, Clive Lloyd and others.
It is heartbreaking to hear our skipper Imran Khan going through health issues. I sincerely hope the authorities take this seriously and ensure he receives the best possible medical care. Wishing him strength, a speedy recovery, and a full return to good health. possible medical care. Wishing him strength, a speedy recovery, and a full return to good health.
🚨 MASSIVE STATEMENT BY USMAN TARIQ ON MS DHONI 🚨
Usman Tariq Said 🗣️
"Today, if I am playing international cricket, it is only because of MS Dhoni. I have a very special connection with him. When I was working as a salesman in the UAE, one night I came home and watched the movie M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story. After watching that movie, I felt truly inspired and decided that I would start playing cricket again.
I then returned to Pakistan and began playing cricket once more. I was a pace bowler, but due to an injury to my hand, I had to stop fast bowling and switched to spin bowling. From there, my performances gradually improved, and today I am here."
What matters is how we respond as a team🇵🇰currently our country is going through a difficult time.Myself& @iShaheenAfridi will donate tri nation series earnings to all affected by floods back home.I’d encourage our stars to donate in rebuilding for those whose lives are destroyed
Revolutionising the sport for young girls around the globe, both on and off the field 👏
Sana Mir becomes the first Pakistan women's cricketer to enter the ICC Hall of Fame 🥇
More ➡️ https://t.co/wxeJRWolhK
My boys aren’t just here to make up the numbers. This is an inexperienced team but it’s a winners team if you back them. It’s your team,if you give them the support they need.Alhamdulillah for the win, much needed in keeping the series alive. Very very well played Hasan and Haris