Watch: Fans leave stadium as soon as Babar Azam loses his wicket in Champions Cup run chase, commentator says 'Seems a mass exodus'

Pakistan’s top order batter Babar Azam is a fan favourite in his country and capable of pulling the big numbers to stadiums. In the ongoing Pakistan’s One-Day Champions Cup 2024, Babar shrugged off poor form with a half-century in the first game. However, in the second game, he missed his fifty and with his departure fans in big numbers started leaving the stadium in Faisalabad. 
 

Earlier, Babar looked in good form in Stallions' run chase of 232 against Markhors. In the eighth over, Babar smashed pacer Shahnawaz Dahani for five consecutive fours. He was nearing his half-century when Tayyab Tahir lost his wicket to Agha Salman.
 

In the next over, Mohammad Rizwan introduced leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood into the attack. Zahid missed it slightly short and Babar went for the pull shot only to find a well-placed Naseem Shah at square leg. Babar fell after scoring a run-a-ball 45 laced with eight fours.
 

Babar had not even walked outside the boundary line when fans started leaving the stadium in large numbers. The commentator can be heard saying, “Seems a mass exodus”.

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Zahid’s maiden fifer

The fans were eventually right in their assessment. No other Stallions batter could cross the single-digit mark in the failed run chase. Zahid took a five-wicket haul whereas Agha took three as Stallions were bowled out for 105. From 79 for 2, they lost eight wickets for just 26 runs in 47 balls. Mohammad Haris-led Stallions lost the match by a big margin of 126 runs. 

ALSO READ: Virat Kohli's six during training session breaks wall near India's dressing room in Chepauk ahead of Bangladesh series; video goes viral
 

Despite the defeat, Stallions are second on the points table. The win helped Markhors rise to the top. Stallions will now take on Saud Shakeel-led Dolphins in their next game. 
 

How Babar fared in Stallions’ first game of tournament?

Babar was named 'Player of the match' for his 79-ball 76 against Shaheen Shah Afridi-led Lions. Stallions posted a total of 336/5 and won the game by 203 runs. Coincidentally, Babar got out while playing a pull shot in the first game as well. From around the wicket, left-arm pacer Shaheen bowled a slower short delivery. Babar played the pull shot but was caught in the deep by Faisal Akram.
 

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