Cricket Victoria CEO denies offering Babar Azam BBL contract

Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins has denied the claims of offering Babar Azam a Sheffield Shield contract and a long-term Big Bash League (BBL) deal. Certain recent reports had suggested that the former Pakistan captain was approached by Cricket Victoria for a domestic contract deal. However, Cummins has stated it to be a “fake news.”

“NEWS – Cricket Victoria has contacted Babar Azam and offered him to play Sheffield Shield and BigBash from Melbourne Renegades or Melbourne Stars. Babar will make a decision keeping in mind the schedule of Pakistan Cricket Team from Sept-Jan 2024-25,” Zake’s post read.

For the unversed, Babar has never taken part in Australia’s Sheffield Shield. However, the 29-year-old has participated in the County Championship for Somerset in 2019 and 2020. In his first season, he played only one game and scored 40 runs in two innings. The right-hander played in the T20 Blast and accumulated 218 runs at an average of 36.33 including a century in the following domestic season.

See Nick Cummins’ X post:

Fake news https://t.co/zxDKdATUPo

— Nick Cummins (@CricketVicCEO) January 12, 2024

NEWS – Cricket Victoria has contacted Babar Azam and offered him to play Sheffield Shield and BigBash from Melbourne Renegades or Melbourne Stars. Babar will make a decision keeping in mind the schedule of Pakistan Cricket Team from Sept-Jan 2024-25. #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/KUPo2pGnY7

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) January 11, 2024

Babar Azam’s half-century goes in vain as New Zealand beat Pakistan in first T20I

Meanwhile, Babar scored a fifty in vain in Pakistan’s 46-run loss against New Zealand in Auckland on January 12. Pakistan, under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi for the first time, opted to field first upon winning the toss in the first T20I of the five-match series. The decision backfired as they conceded a mammoth 226 runs despite Shaheen and Abbas Afridi claiming three-wicket hauls.

Babar stood firm, bringing up his half-century against the spirited Kiwi bowling attack. The 29-year-old scored 57 off 35 as Pakistan were bowled out for 180 in 18 overs, allowing the hosts to take a 1-0 lead.