Babar Azam ‘attacked’ during Zalmi vs Legends XI match

PESHAWAR: Cricket fans in Peshawar were treated to more than just fours and sixes on Saturday, when Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam found himself in an unexpected, and hilarious, race across the Imran Khan Stadium outfield.

During the flood relief exhibition clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Legends XI, a passionate fan leapt over the fence and sprinted directly toward the Zalmi skipper.

Peshawar Ki Jaan..❤️#FloodReliefMatch pic.twitter.com/ONLV3M8PBP

— 𝑨𝙗𝒅𝙪𝒍𝙡𝒂𝙝 𝙎𝒖𝙡𝒕𝙖𝒏⁵⁶ (@Abdullahs_56) August 30, 2025

For a brief moment, Babar looked genuinely startled and dashed across the turf with surprising pace, prompting cheers and laughter from the crowd.

Security personnel quickly joined the chase, but the intruder showed “cheetah speed,” keeping everyone guessing.

It was only when Babar realized that the young man wasn’t a threat but simply a cricket lover eager to greet his idol, that he stopped, smiled, and graciously allowed the fan to hug him.

His popularity has no limits. Babar Azam being chased around the field by a fan during the ongoing charity match between Legends XI and Peshawar Zalmi #Cricket pic.twitter.com/aFhVxXJdRG

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) August 30, 2025

The wholesome exchange immediately went viral, with social media flooded by clips of Babar’s dramatic run and warm-hearted gesture. Fans hailed it as another reminder of the batter’s humility and his unmatched popularity across Pakistan.

This didn’t end here. Babar Azam seemed more involved with fans than with the match throughout the entire innings of Legends XI. Whenever he approached the boundary, spectators rushed onto the ground, forcing him to take selfies with them.

Zalmi beat Legends XI by six run

But the day wasn’t just about lighthearted moments. In front of a 17,000-strong crowd, Peshawar Zalmi edged past Legends XI by six runs in a thrilling contest played under the theme “Khel Se Khidmat” (service through sports).

Babar led from the front with 41 runs and even chipped in with two wickets, while Yasir Hameed scored a brisk 35.

@babarazam258 bechara , fans attacked him 😭❤#BabarAzam𓃵 #BabarAzam #FloodReliefMatch pic.twitter.com/YcObOYiyvy

— Salayha 🇵🇰 (@IamSalayha) August 30, 2025

The Legends XI, powered by Inzamam-ul-Haq’s explosive 46 and Azhar Mahmood’s unbeaten 34, came tantalizingly close but eventually fell short at 138 for six while chasing 145.

The evening served its bigger purpose too — raising crucial funds for thousands of flood-affected families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

With cricket greats like Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, and Waqar Younis sharing the stage alongside Babar Azam, the event brought together multiple generations of Pakistan cricket for a noble cause.

Peshawar Zalmi chairman Javed Afridi summed it up perfectly: “Cricket has always been a unifying force in Pakistan. Today, it became a force for compassion as well.”