'Payment nahi milegi ab': Babar Azam's ad shoot goes wrong; trolled heavily

Karachi, Pakistan – As Pakistan Super League 2026 prepares to launch behind closed doors, Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam has found himself at the centre of an unexpected social-media storm after a promotional shoot went awry. In a light-hearted advertisement filmed ahead of the season opener, the star batter was asked to dive to his right and complete a catch, with two foam mattresses positioned for protection. The ball sailed safely into his hands, yet the 29-year-old spilled the straightforward chance, landing flat on the cushioned surface as cameras rolled.

Footage of the blooper surfaced online on Friday and spread rapidly across Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, triggering a barrage of memes and one-liners. “Even the mattress company knows Babar will drop it... so they put the bed right there!” quipped one user, while another joked, “Isse gadde rakh kar bhi catch nahi liya ja raha socho agar bina gadde k pakadta to kya hota. shayad ye 1 saal tak khel hi nahi paata.” The phrase “Payment nahi milegi ab” – a tongue-in-cheek reference to the gaffe – began trending within hours.

The episode has provided an unusual subplot to a tournament already stripped of its customary buzz: the entire PSL 11 schedule will be played without spectators after the federal government opted for closed-door fixtures amid regional geopolitical tensions. Speaking to reporters after a training session at the National Stadium, Babar conceded the empty stands will be felt acutely. “We will certainly miss the fans in the stadiums and I am sure they will also miss watching the action live,” he said. “Wherever we play, we receive tremendous support and we will try to play an exciting brand of cricket to make our fans proud while they follow us on television and social media.”

On the field, the Zalmi skipper believes his squad has addressed a key weakness. “Our bowling lacked consistency last season, but this time we have a strong bowling line-up. Our focus is on executing our plans well and delivering better results,” he noted. Whether the off-camera drop proves an omen or merely a moment of levity, Babar Azam’s every move – with bat or without – will remain under intense scrutiny once the first ball is bowled.