Babar Azam. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Colombo Striker’s Babar Azam struck a match-winning hundred in the match against Galle Titans in the ongoing Lanka Premier League on August 7 at the Pallekele international cricket stadium in Kandy. Notably, the Strikers won the clash by seven wickets and are third in the LPL 2023 points table.
At the start of the second innings of the game, former Pakistani batter and PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) chairman Ramiz Raja made a bizarre comment about Azam during the LPL commentary, which went viral on social media. Raja unexpectedly reckoned that he ‘absolutely loves Azam and wishes to marry him,’ when the opening batter was seen keeping his guard.
“Fifty in security, class, and quality, calmness. He is your guy in such a situation, in the back deep in the innings. I just absolutely love him – wanna marry him,” Raja was heard saying during the commentary.
Babar Azam scored 104 off just 59 deliveries, including eight boundaries and five maximums. Scoring a breathtaking ton, the 28-year-old batter became only the second batter after West Indies great Chris Gayle to record 10 centuries in the T20 format.
‘I absolutely love him, want to marry him’ – Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja re Babar Azam ♥️#LPL2023 #LPLT20 pic.twitter.com/4uQwXVz4vR
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) August 8, 2023
Colombo Strikers beat Galle Titans by seven wickets in LPL
Speaking of the game, Colombo Strikers Niroshan Dickwella won the toss and invited Galle Titans to bat first. Tim Seifert played a stunning half-century as the Titans posted 188/3. He scored 54* off 35 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes. Opener Shevon Daniel also played a significant contribution, scoring 49 off 31 before being dismissed by Ramesh Mendis.
In reply, openers Pathum Nissanka and Babar Azam (104) produced a spectacular 111-run partnership, the highest opening partnership of the season thus far, as Strikers chased down the target with one ball to spare. Nissanka smashed 54 off 40 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and one six while Babar strucl eight fours and five sixes in his 59-ball 104. For the Titans, Tabraiz Shamsi picked up two wickets.