{
  "id": 5265211,
  "title": "‘Is this from the Pakistani willow?’ ‘It’s never hit a ball’: Cricket fans roast Babar Azam after he gifts signed bat to King Charles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/is-this-from-the-pakistani-willow-its-never-hit-a-ball-cricket-fans",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T06:24:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/pakistani-willow-never-hit-ball-062410285.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cricket fans have been mocking Pakistan national cricket team captain Babar Azam after he presented a signed bat to King Charles III during the team's visit to Clarence House. The gesture has been met with ridicule as fans question whether the bat had ever been used in matches, considering Pakistan's poor performance in the ongoing England Test series. The series has now been lost 2-0 in England's favor, leading to the dismissal of seven players from the team, including Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and the head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed. Babar's gift has become a social media joke, with fans questioning his knowledge of bat construction and the team's current state. The situation reflects broader frustrations with Pakistani cricket, where recent failures have led to significant changes in the team's leadership.",
  "summary": "Babar Azam faced a barrage of online mockery after gifting a signed bat to King Charles.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "'He Didn't Know Most Of The Players': Babar Azam & Pakistan Team Trolled By Iceland Cricket After King Charles' Viral Interaction",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/he-didnt-know-most-of-the-players-babar-azam-pakistan-team-trolled-by",
        "published": "2026-09-03T04:53:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}