Pakistani skipper Babar Azam is winning hearts with a tremendous gesture of giving his Player of the Match Award to team player Khushdil Shah in the first ODI against West Indies in Multan on Wednesday.
West Indies is touring Pakistan for a three-match ODI series starting on 8th June and 12th June 2022. West Indies batting first had set the target of 305 runs for Pakistan to chase. Pakistan chased the target with the loss of five wickets.
Babar Azam became the first captain in the world to score three centuries in a row. He scored 103 runs in the match. Muhammad Rizwan added more than 50 runs in the chase. However, it was Khushdil Shah’s 41 runs off 23 balls that turned the match for Pakistan.
Khushdil Shah hit three consecutive sixes in a row bringing Pakistan closer to the target. Later on, during the post-match prize distribution ceremony, Babar Azam said he wants to give his prize to Khushdil Shah.
Babar Azam is named the Man of the Match.
But he's given it to Khushdil Shah! What a gesture! 👑#PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/F15spqTTJc
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) June 8, 2022
Babar Azam was chosen as the Player of the Match tonight, but he has handed the award to Khushdil Shah instead 🏆
A class act from the captain 👏 #PAKvWI
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 8, 2022
Lovely from Babar Azam 👏
He gives Khushdil Shah his POTM award for Khushdil's 23-ball 41pic.twitter.com/JT4xeyjnoV
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 9, 2022
He invited Khushdil Shah to sign the ball being the Player of the Match. Khushdil Shah also received prize money in the match. Captain Babar Azam is racking up praise and appreciation for a heartwarming gesture.
Read more: WATCH: Babar Azam distributes Iftar among people
Cricket fans believe that such kind gestures from the skipper of the team will encourage other players to put their best performance for the team. Babar Azam has been credited for building a positive and friendly culture in the dressing room.
Babar Azam hit nine fours in his 17th ODI century. He has surpassed Virat Kohli to become the fastest player to reach 1000 runs as captain. He has also become the first batsman to score three consecutive centuries twice in one-day internationals after his 103 helped Pakistan beat West Indies by five wickets.
Earlier, Babar Azam scored two centuries against Australia before Wednesday’s match.