Babar Azam Forced To Remove 'Blunder' While Congratulating James Anderson On His Retirement

Babar Azam congratulated James Anderson on his brilliant career© X (Twitter)

One of the finest seam bowlers the world has ever known, James Anderson, called time on his glittering career on Friday as his team beat England in a lopsided Test match. Anderson concluded his career with 704 scalps in the longest format of the game, a record that no fast bowler in the world can match. As Anderson bid farewell to the Gentleman’s Game, well-wishes poured in on social media as cricketers and fans alike congratulated the GOAT pacer. However, Pakistan captain Babar Azam made a blunder as he saluted Anderson on his retirement. Babar said it was a privilege to face Anderson’s ‘cutters’.

“It was a privilege to face your cutters, Jimmy! The beautiful game will now lose one of its greatest. Your incredible service to the sport has been nothing short of remarkable. Huge respect to you, GOAT,” Babar posted on X (formerly Twitter), then deleted it.

He later wrote the correct version, which was: “It was a privilege to face your swing, Jimmy!”

The beautiful game will now lose one of its greatest. Your incredible service to the sport has been nothing short of remarkable. Huge respect to you, GOAT.”

Anderson ended his legendary Test career spanning 188 Test matches and more than two decades on a high note as England beat the West Indies by an innings and 114 runs on Friday.

After the match, Anderson said it had been an incredible 20-year journey with the England cricket team. The veteran added that he was moved to see the reaction of the crowd.

He added that it was also his family’s journey.

“The last 20 years have been incredible. It’s amazing to see the reaction from the crowd. It’s pretty special. Every time I put on this shirt I’m trying to win games for England. It’s different. The emotions have been up and down. Seeing my daughters ring the bell on the first day. The last 20 years have been incredible. You can’t have a long career without the support of a network behind you. It’s the family’s journey as much as it is ours,” Anderson said.

Summing up the first Test match between England and the West Indies, Anderson took the first wicket of the day at Lord’s by dismissing Joshua Da Silva to end the West Indies’ contest.

But while Anderson showed his qualities one last time, there was Gus Atkinson, on his Test debut, who etched his name on the Lords honours board with a total of ten wickets – a veritable passing of the baton if ever there was one.

With ANI inputs

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