Overview:
Babar Azam top-scored with 41 off 23 balls before Saeed Ajmal bowled him, as his side was bowled out for 144 in 14.4 overs.
Pakistan star batter Babar Azam stole the show in an exhibition match between Peshawar Zalmi and Legends XI as he took on former speedster Shoaib Akhtar. Once renowned for his frightening pace, Akhtar looked far from his prime as he jogged in to bowl and struggled with his accuracy, sending one delivery down the leg side.
Babar quickly capitalised, smashing a huge six over deep square leg before following up with two crisp boundaries. The duel instantly grabbed attention online, with clips of the encounter going viral among cricket fans.
Shoaib Akhtar bowling to Babar Azam | Exhibition Match | Zalmi vs Legends XI | Zalmi TV #BabarAzam #ShoaibAkhtar #ExhibitionMatch #Cricket #ZalmiTV pic.twitter.com/hFhBiKu06p
— Zalmi TV (@zalmitvlive) August 30, 2025
Babar Azam top-scored with 41 off 23 balls before Saeed Ajmal bowled him, as his side was bowled out for 144 in 14.4 overs. Akhtar conceded 35 runs in just two overs, while Abdur Razzaq (3/18) and Shahid Afridi (3/10) picked up three wickets each. Ajmal (2/34) and Mohammad Hafeez (2/21) chipped in with two wickets apiece.
With the ball, Babar also made his mark, dismissing Azhar Ali (9) and Younis Khan (2) to record figures of 2/21 in three overs. Irfan supported with 2/10 from two overs as Zalmi tightened control.
Chasing 145, Legends XI ended on 138/6 from 15 overs despite spirited knocks from Inzamam-ul-Haq (46* off 23) and Azhar Mahmood (34* off 15). Mahmood’s late surge fell short, leaving Legends XI seven runs away from victory.
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