In a recent T20I match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the University Oval in Dunedin, chaos ensued as Pakistani batter Azam Khan’s entry song sparked controversy and accusations of body shaming. The tradition of playing WWE entrance music for batters continued, with Azam Khan being welcomed to the crease with the theme music of The Big Show.
As Pakistan faced the Black Caps in the third T20I of the bilateral series, Azam Khan joined captain Babar Azam at the crease, with the team struggling at 95/3. However, the decision to play The Big Show’s entrance music for Azam Khan did not sit well with Pakistani fans, who took to social media to express their displeasure.
Here is the video:
— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) January 17, 2024
A Pakistani fan criticised the hosts, calling it “pathetic,” and urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address the incident with New Zealand Cricket, stating, “@TheRealPCB should take it up with @BLACKCAPS #NZvsPAK.”
New Zealand continues to hammer Pakistan
The viral video of the incident sparked a heated debate on social media platforms. Azam Khan, the 25-year-old son of former Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan, made his T20I debut in 2021 and has played eight T20Is for Pakistan. Unfortunately, his innings in the match against New Zealand were short-lived, as Matt Henry dismissed him in the 12th over after scoring only 10 runs off 7 balls.
Despite Babar Azam’s impressive performance with a score of 58 off 37 balls, Pakistan could only muster a total of 179-7 in 20 overs. New Zealand capitalised on their strong batting display, securing a comfortable 45-run victory and taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
The upcoming fourth T20I is scheduled to take place in Christchurch at Hagley Oval on Friday. As the cricketing world reflects on the controversy surrounding Azam Khan’s entry song, the focus remains on the remaining matches in the series and the teams’ performances on the field.
Here is how fans react to Babar Azam’s song:
Same energy pic.twitter.com/bRjHzbEDux
— Indian sport action (@sportszone_17) January 17, 2024
So Sad Now Pakistani?? Will Again cry? That DJ ?????Person not Played Dil Dil Pakistan Song?
— Ajay Gautam (@gautam_ajay007) January 17, 2024
Now that's a power-packed at-bat moment! It definitely added some drama to his entrance! pic.twitter.com/27StWyBcQq
— IPL Scoop (@Ipl_scoop) January 17, 2024
Not a fan of Azam Khan but this is body shaming, we need to condemn it as it is.
— Shah Zaib (@IamShzb) January 17, 2024
Finally someone who can give competition to Rohit Sharma in obesity
— CHADitya ? (@CHADitya_18) January 17, 2024
Azam Khan looks like Big Show but his performance is equal to zero show ?
10 T20I
29 runs
1 Six pic.twitter.com/lP171PnDKp— Shumaila Tanveer (@shumaila56_) January 17, 2024
They should play the same song during the entry of Cornwall and Rohit as well.
— CHADitya ? (@CHADitya_18) January 17, 2024
The reaction says it all ??
#INDvsAFGpic.twitter.com/Iij78dfmvw
— Flash (@F1ash369) January 17, 2024
