Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam has found himself in a bit of trouble with the Punjab Motorway Police, who fined him for exceeding the speed limit during a recent drive on the highway, as reported by Times of Karachi. This isn’t the first time that Babar Azam’s vehicle has caught the attention of the authorities. Earlier this year, he was pulled over for not having a proper number plate, although he wasn’t fined on that occasion.
However, while driving on the highway, Babar was found to be driving over the speed limit, leading to police intervention. The exact amount of the fine has not been disclosed. On the same day, the Pakistan cricket team received their visas to travel to India for the upcoming ODI World Cup, scheduled to commence on October 5.
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The team is set to depart for Dubai in the early hours of September 27 and will then proceed to Hyderabad, where they will play a warm-up match against New Zealand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The captain of Pakistan, Babar Azam, has been fined by the Punjab Motorway Police 👮♀️ for speeding.#TOKSports | #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/cGdJ1WW7s3
— TOK Sports (@TOKSports021) September 25, 2023
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had previously expressed its disappointment over the delay in visa issuance and had been in constant communication with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to resolve the situation. Fortunately, the visas were granted in time, allowing the team to travel to India. It’s worth noting that the Afghanistan cricket team received their visas on September 25.
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In terms of form, the Pakistan cricket team faces the challenge of improving significantly, as their performance in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023 was below par. Concerns have been raised about Fakhar Zaman’s form, and the team has also suffered the loss of Naseem Shah due to a shoulder injury, with Hasan Ali stepping in as his replacement in the World Cup squad.
All eyes will be on Babar Azam and his captaincy during the upcoming tournament, as he has faced criticism for his leadership in recent times. The 28-year-old captain will also need to deliver with the bat, as he will be under immense pressure, especially while playing in India. The ODI World Cup may prove to be a significant test for him.