KOLKATA: Pakistan captain Babar Azam produced a stunning moment of brilliance in the field during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Saturday.
The star batter pulled off a spectacular boundary-line catch on the second ball of Mohammad Nawaz’s first over. Netherlands’ in-form Michael Levitt had struck the ball powerfully, seemingly destined for a six. Babar Azam timed his jump perfectly, catching the ball mid-air and tossing it back to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who completed the dismissal.
Levitt had scored a quick 24 runs off 15 balls, including three fours and a six, before falling to Pakistan’s sharp fielding. Babar Azam’s catch was widely praised as one of the tournament’s standout fielding moments, highlighting his athleticism and leadership on the field.
Following the catch, the Netherlands struggled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. They were eventually bowled out for 147 runs in the final over. Salman Mirza emerged as the top bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 24 runs in 3.5 overs.
Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Saim Ayub contributed two wickets each, while Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up one wicket. The collective effort of the Pakistani bowlers ensured a strong start to their T20 World Cup campaign.
Babar Azam’s performance, both as a batter and fielder, demonstrated his all-round value to the team. His ability to make crucial plays in pressure situations continues to set him apart as one of the premier players in world cricket.
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Fans and experts alike praised Babar Azam’s match-winning instincts and fielding acumen. Pakistan will look to build on this victory as they aim for a deep run in the T20 World Cup 2026.
