A bizarre image that sent the cricket world and social media into a frenzy has been confirmed as a complete fabrication. A photo purportedly showing Australian cricket superstar Ellyse Perry on one knee, seemingly proposing to Pakistan's former captain Babar Azam, went massively viral across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
The Viral Story That Never Happened
The image sparked wild speculation, with many users claiming that Perry had popped the question to Babar during a Big Bash League (BBL) match. The internet's reaction was a mix of shock, confusion, and amusement. However, the entire narrative is false. A simple check of the facts and timelines reveals the impossibility of the event.
When the photo began circulating, Babar Azam was actively playing in the Big Bash League in Australia. Meanwhile, Ellyse Perry had already concluded her commitments in the Women's Premier League (WPL) and had returned home, as confirmed by reports. The two star cricketers were not even in the same city, let alone on the same cricket ground. This fundamental discrepancy in their locations immediately discredits the story of a live proposal during a match.
How to Spot the Digital Forgery
Beyond the timeline, the image itself crumbles under scrutiny. Upon closer inspection, the tell-tale signs of AI-generated or heavily edited content become apparent.
- Inconsistent Lighting: The lighting on the two figures appears unnatural and mismatched.
- Distorted Features: Details like hands and facial contours show slight distortions typical of AI image synthesis.
- Unconvincing Background: The backdrop lacks coherence and seems artificially composited.
Furthermore, logic dictates that a public proposal of this magnitude involving two global sports icons would have been captured from multiple angles. There would be a flood of video evidence, photographs from other spectators, and immediate media reports. The existence of only a single, low-quality image is a major red flag.
Why Fake News About Cricket Stars Spreads So Fast
The rapid virality of this hoax is unsurprising to social media analysts. Ellyse Perry and Babar Azam are colossal figures in international cricket with massive fan followings. Any content that blends their personal lives with dramatic, emotional narratives is primed for explosive sharing.
This incident highlights a common pattern: users often share sensational content first and ask questions later. The combination of famous names and a shocking visual overrides the instinct for fact-checking. Unfortunately for Babar Azam, this is not his first encounter with baseless online rumours. He has frequently been the subject of unfounded viral posts and gossip, which gain traction purely through fan excitement and a lack of verification.
The final truth is simple and clear: Ellyse Perry did not propose to Babar Azam. The viral photo is an edited fake, and the accompanying story is a social media myth. It serves as a crucial reminder in the digital age: not everything you see online is real. Taking a moment to pause and verify can prevent you from believing and amplifying pure fiction.
