The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently released a promotional video for the 2023 ODI World Cup, featuring Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. While the video gained immense popularity, former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar criticized it for not including Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan’s cricket team.
Akhtar expressed his disappointment at Babar Azam’s absence, emphasizing that Babar’s inclusion would have added star power and boosted Pakistan’s representation. As one of the world’s top batsmen, Babar’s consistent performance and cricketing skills make him a key player for Pakistan.
The promotional video aims to build anticipation and interest in the ODI World Cup, and Akhtar believed that featuring Babar Azam could have inspired more fans to support the tournament. While it’s common to include popular celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan for broader appeal, Akhtar’s concern highlighted the importance of recognizing the talents and achievements of players like Babar Azam, who holds a prominent position in their respective teams.