Spectators swarm Pakistan star for selfies after his 21-run exit in first-class match
ISLAMABAD: Security arrangements at a domestic first-class cricket match in Islamabad came under scrutiny on Wednesday after spectators entered the playing area and surrounded Pakistan star batsman Babar Azam following his dismissal.
The incident occurred during the President’s Trophy Grade-I match between Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and State Bank of Pakistan at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad.
A large group of spectators entered the field after Babar was dismissed and gathered around the Pakistan captain, with several taking selfies with him.
Babar appeared to struggle to make his way through the crowd before reaching the pavilion.
Babar, who returned to first-class cricket this month after a seven-year absence, scored 21 runs from 39 deliveries.
Babar had also failed against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in the previous match at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium earlier this week.
He scored 12 and four at Abbottabad and so far he has been badly struggling with the bat in the first-class season.
Babar has a huge fan-following and at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium too large number of spectators had specifically come to the venue to see the star batsman.
However according to eye witnesses Babar remained too quiet and did not even respond to the cheers of the crowd at Abbottabad.