Watch: Babar Azam takes on Shoaib Akhtar, hits Rawalpindi Express for successive fours

Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam took on former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in an exhibition match between Peshawar Zalmi and Legends XI as he smashed him for successive boundaries. Known for his menacing pace, which left several top batters scared, Akhtar looked like a pale shadow of himself at his peak as he came jogging to deliver the ball, which was way down the leg side.

However, Babar was quick to pounce on every loose delivery as he hit him for a massive six over deep square leg, followed by two boundaries. The video of the face off has been going viral on social media as fans got a chance to watch the former legends in action.

Babar was eventually dismissed for 41 (23), getting cleaned up by Saeed Ajmal. Zalmi were eventually dismissed for 144 in 14.4 overs. Akhtar leaked 35 runs in his two overs while Abdur Razzaq (3/18) and Shahid Afridi (3/10) picked three wickets each. On the other hand, Saeed Ajmal (2/34) and Mohammad Hafeez (2/21) picked up two wickets each.

After top-scoring for Peshawar, Babar also starred with the ball as he picked up two wickets. The off-spinner dismissed Azhar Ali (9 off 9) and Younis Khan (2 off 3). Babar first got Azhar caught out and later shattered Younis’ stumps to register figures of 2/21 in three overs. Apart from him, Irfan also scalped two wickets for Peshawar (2/10) in two overs.

Legends XI could only score 138/6 in 15 overs as Inzimam ul Haq (46* off 23) and Azhar Mahmood (34* off 15) were the two lone warriors for their side. Mahmood tried his best to score 22 runs required off the last six balls, but Legends XI eventually fell seven runs short of their target and lost the match.