Babar Azam trolled by fans [Source: @TUnlimitedd/x]Babar Azam failed to go big against Netherlands in the opening match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Batting at number four, the cricketer scored a sluggish 15 from 18 balls before slicing one towards Kyle Klein at long-off. His untimely dismissal marked the third in quick succession as Pakistan plunged from 98-2 to 100-5, soon to be 114-7, in the space of five overs. As one can expect, Babar Azam’s departure sparked a social media fest among Indian fans, as well as that from Pakistan. Several users took to X and shared hilarious memes at the expense of Babar Azam as the legendary batter continues to struggle in T20 cricket off late. Fans troll as Babar Azam flops in T20 World Cup 2026 curtain-raiser Babar Azam’s continuous struggles in T20 cricket now seems to be haunting his Pakistan team, at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup no less. Going up against Netherlands in the opening match of the tournament on February 7, the legendary batter compiled just 15 off 18 balls with a solitary boundary. With Netherlands veteran Roelof van der Merwe deceiving Babar Azam to put Pakistan under pressure in a tense chase, fans flocked to X to share hilarious memes at the expense of the 31-year-old. Here is a look at some of the reactions expressed by fans on the micro-blogging site. India, Pakistan fans react to Babar Azam’s flop show vs Netherlands𝚅𝚊𝚛𝚞𝚗¹⁸ @varunx18 When You're In A Statpadding Competition & Your Opponent Is Babar Azam 😭 Feb 7, 2026, 1:32 PM Dinda Academy @academy_dinda Babar Azam’s strike rate will force Pakistan to play against India 💀 Feb 7, 2026, 1:28 PM Hopeful @high_hopeful How Watching Babar Azam feels like Feb 7, 2026, 1:34 PM Vicky Kumar (Toxiic) @ToxiicNVR One shouldn't include someone like Babar Azam in the playing 11 even by mistake . nor should he be kept as a drinks man otherwise he will demotivate everyone, this person plays even against the Netherlands as if he's playing a Test match. lol Feb 7, 2026, 1:30 PM Rao Amit 🇮🇳 @RoyalRao47 Babar Azam struggling to score against Netherlands. While we create Champions, they create content for memers. 😂 #PAKvNED #U19Champions #T20WorldCup2026 #BabarAzam Feb 7, 2026, 1:29 PM Troll cricket unlimitedd @TUnlimitedd Sahibzada Farhan needs to be arrested for scoring quickly and putting pressure on Babar Azam 😤 Feb 7, 2026, 1:24 PM Babar Azam’s haunted phase in T20 cricketBabar Azam recently made his BBL debut in Australia, turning up for the Sydney Sixers in the 2025-26 season alongside fellow batting veteran Steve Smith. In 11 innings of the tournament, the legendary Pakistan batter aggregated just 202 runs at a below par average of 22.44 and with a dismal strike rate of 103.06. In the subsequent three-match home series against Australia, the prolific right-hander did manage to list 76 runs at an average of 38, but maintained a rather low strike rate of 124.59. Faheem Ashraf gets Babar Azam, Pakistan out of jail As it happened, Netherlands batted first and charted 147 in 19.5 overs. Captain Scott Edwards top-scored in the innings with his 37-run knock from 29 balls. Bas de Leede and Colin Ackermann also chipped in with crucial runs in the middle overs, before Pakistan bowlers dismantled Netherlands from 105-3 to 147 all out. Salman Mirza picked up figures of 3-24, and spinners Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub chipped in with two wickets each. In response, Pakistan got off to a flier courtesy of a sublime 31-ball 47 from Sahibzada Farhan and another 13-ball 24 from Saim Ayub. However, Babar Azam’s sluggish 18-ball 15 and tumbling wickets at the other end tilted the tide back in Netherlands’ favor. With Pakistan requiring 29 runs from the remaining 12 deliveries, Faheem Ashraf tonked 29* off 11 balls to race past Netherlands with three balls to spare in a thrilling final-over finish.
