Pakistan’s talisman batsman Babar Azam has had a horrid tour of Australia with the bat. And he will also take back with him the memory of an angry Mitchell Starc sledging him.
In six innings across three Test matches, Babar managed only 126 runs at an average of 21 and strike rate of 46, ending the tour with a highest score of only 41. While he got some really good balls from Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Babar Azam’s last dismissal of the series was made by part-time off-spinner Travis Head. Babar edged his drive to a full ball outside the off-stump and wicket-keeper Alex Carey took a good catch to send Babar on his way.
Before his dismissal in the second innings of the Sydney Test, Babar Azam had an unexpected run-in with Mitchell Starc. While Starc is known for his verbal volleys, especially in Test cricket, to the visiting batters, Babar is generally calm and doesn’t show emotions often.
However, this time, as Starc hurled some words toward him, Babar let himself loose and retorted with some aggressive words of his own. Babar also made some hand gestures in reply to Starc’s sledges.
Watch: Babar Azam and Mitchell Starc got involved in a heated exhange
Heated combo between Starc and Babar Azam. (Zimbabar thinks he can bat or sledge..!)😜📷#Babar #Starc #PinkTest #AUSvsPAK #PAKvsAUS pic.twitter.com/A8htdMxze6
— bhavishya aneja (@AnejaBhavi55798) January 5, 2024
Talking about Friday’s play at the SCG, Pakistan managed to take a small 14-run first innings lead. Aamer Jamal’s heroic six-wicket haul bowled Australia out for 299 runs. Pakistan would have hoped to give Australia a sizeable target, however, the hopes were dashed to a significant stretch as they tumbled to 68/7 in 26 overs by stumps on Day 3.
Pakistan’s last three wickets of the day came in a single over of Josh Hazlewood. At the end of the day, Hazlewood said Australia would be happy chasing a target of around 130 runs as the pitch has gotten worse for batting.
Hazlewood said: “Lead of 82, as you see the wicket, it’s quite tough. Anything around 130 would be ideal to chase. Rizwan is a dangerous player, hopefully we will see the back of him early tomorrow.”
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