After Iftikhar Ahmad’s unbeaten 95 off 72 balls went in vain during Pakistan’s loss to New Zealand by 47 runs in the fifth and final one-day international in Karachi on Sunday, Babar Azam said that he was the one who came up with the moniker “Chacha” for Iftikhar Ahmad, and the Pakistan captain hailed the middle-order hitter for his performance.
Iftikhar was the one who sought to produce a comeback after his team had fallen to 66 for four while chasing 300, and Agha Salman was there to help him. The pair put up 97 runs for the fifth wicket, but the visitors were able to keep their composure and prevent a clean sweep of their innings.
Iftikhar, who had played for Fortune Barishal in the previous season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and had played a few innings that had a significant effect, finally ran out of partners and lost out on his first hundred in the format as well.
“He gave some brilliant performances in T20 cricket and today he took the game deep alone but unfortunately, he didn’t get support from the other end,” said Babar during the post-match presser yesterday. “He took the game deep alone but unfortunately, he didn’t get support from the other end.”
The Pakistan captain, who scored two fifties and a century throughout the series with the bat, went on to say that he was the one who gave him the moniker “Chacha,” which means “paternal uncle.” The captain’s performance with the bat in the series was exceptional.
“Sometimes, I feel uncomfortable that owing to me, Iftikhar is now known as ‘Chacha,’ but I am delighted that people appreciate it,” Babar acknowledged. “Sometimes, I feel embarrassed that because to me, Iftikhar is now known as “Chacha.”