Babar v Shaheen: a fierce battle ready to unfold

LAHORE: The HBL Pakistan Super League has thrown up riveting rivalries since its outset. It has pitted the best of the world against each other, and international teammates competing each other has made fantastic viewing for the fans around the world.

The seventh edition of the HBL PSL, which will be played from January 27 to February 27, will present the fans exciting competitions and one of the most sought-after face-off will be between the country’s best batter and the best pacer – Karachi Kings’ Babar Azam and Lahore Qalandars’ Shaheen Afridi.

Both cricketers have been an integral part of the national team’s set-up for the last few years and played a crucial role for the side in a record-breaking 2021 in which Pakistan won 20 T20Is – the most by any team in a calendar year.

They enter the HBL PSL 7 in a red-hot form.

Babar added 1,779 to his tally of 7,471 T20 runs in the last year and was the second best batter – in terms of runs – behind his Pakistan opening partner Mohammad Rizwan. The right-hander struck two centuries and 18 half-centuries, averaged over 48 and scored his runs at a strike rate of 131.38.

Shaheen was one of the four pacers to take more than 50 T20 wickets in 2021. The left-armer’s thunderbolts added 51 scalps – at 21.50 runs apiece – to his account at a strike rate of 16.4. His ecomomy of 7.82 in 2021 is a testimony to his extraordinary control, considering how unforgiving this format has been for bowlers.

Babar and Shaheen have faced-off seven times in the HBL PSL and the honours have somewhat remained even. Shaheen has bowled 46 deliveries to Babar in which he has gotten him out once – bowled, off stump knocked over, in the last HBL PSL. Babar has scored 73 against Shaheen, hitting 12 fours.

The two are expected to meet in the powerplay and both boast extraordinary record in the first six overs of an innings in HBL PSL. Shaheen’s economy of 6.66 is the best amongst the pacers with at least 10 wickets and Babar averages a staggering 77.42 – the highest for a batter with 500 runs in this phase – and has only been dismissed seven times in 34 innings.

What further spices up the rivalry between these two is the fact that Babar and Shaheen will be leading their sides after the 21-year-old pacer was recently appointed as Lahore Qalandars’ captain.

When the two sides are going to meet at Karachi’s National Stadium on January 30 and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on February 18, Lahore Qalandars will be hoping to improve their head-to-head record against Karachi Kings as the Qalandars have won five off the 13 games (one decided on Super Over) and lost all others.

Karachi Kings’ captain Babar Azam said: “The HBL PSL has played a phenomenal role in the growth and development of Pakistan's cricketers. I first began to open in competitive T20 cricket in HBL PSL and it helped immensely in my transformation.

“Facing Shaheen is always a thrilling proposition as he asks a lot of questions. His searing pace, ability to bring the ball back and guileful variations keep a batter judging. He has a passion to learn and, over the years, has developed this phenomenal ability to adapt to conditions quickly.

“It is going to be tough, but an exciting battle and I am looking forward to face Shaheen once again. I am sure, the fans are also eagerly awaiting it.”

Lahore Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Afridi said: “The HBL PSL has been a launching pad for me and many fast bowlers. One wants to play tough and competitive cricket at the domestic level to help prepare for the international stage and that is exactly what this league has done for me. That five for four against Multan Sultans at Dubai instilled self-belief and gave me confidence to excel.