{
  "id": 5281172,
  "title": "King Charles meets Babar Azam and Pakistan squad in London before crucial England Test",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/king-charles-meets-babar-azam-and-pakistan-squad-in-london-before",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T08:05:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/king-charles-meets-babar-azam-and-pakistan-squad-in-london-before-crucial-england-test-1.500661744"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Amidst Pakistan's turbulent period before the third Test against England, King Charles III extended a royal welcome to the national squad at Clarence House in London. The unexpected meeting included the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, and the spotlight was particularly drawn to an interaction between the monarch and Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam. Babar presented King Charles with a bat, bearing the signatures of all the players, after which the British monarch congratulated the newly appointed Test Cricket captain. The monarch inquired about the bat's origin, specifically whether it was made in Pakistan using Pakistani willow, to which Babar confirmed, stating the bat was crafted by all the players. The encounter soon made waves online as fans expressed admiration for the royal meeting and shared photos of the encounter on social media. Meanwhile, Pakistan gears up for the final Test match, starting on September 9th, after bouncing back from earlier heavy defeats in the series. The PCB have reappointed Mike Hesson as the head coach for the crucial match, with Babar Azam returning to the captaincy role.",
  "summary": "Pakistan is facing one of its most turbulent times ahead of the third Test against England. Sacking head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and sending seven players back home including their now ex-captain Salaman Agha, there have been enough distractions for the players. But amid the controversy, the Pakistani squad managed to get a royal appointment. Ahead of the Test match in Edgbaston, King Charles III…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Babar Azam meets King Charles at Pakistan team reception",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/babar-azam-meets-king-charles-at-pakistan-team-reception",
        "published": "2026-09-03T07:47:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Bank of Canada to unveil new $20 bill featuring King Charles",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/bank-of-canada-to-unveil-new-20-bill-featuring-king-charles",
        "published": "2026-09-03T08:00:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}