Pakistan star batsman Babar Azam reacted angrily to a cheeky sledge from Steve Smith on Day 4 of the AUS vs PAK Test match at the MCG. Smith was quick to apologize to Babar with folded hands and a smile.
This incident is from moments before the third session on Day 4 began. Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel came out for the third session. The game hung in balance: Pakistan needed 188 more runs to win, while Australia needed to take 7 more wickets to seal the series.
Steve Smith had a cheeky dig at Babar when he was taking his guard and looking toward the umpire. With the stress of the chase and the pressure of creating history as Pakistan targetted their first Test match win in Australia since 1976, Babar Azam didn’t take Steve Smith’s banter with ease and retorted by showing him his bat, gesturing that Smith to take his guard for him.
Smith quickly realized that Babar was in no mood for jokes and apologized with folded hands and had a small smile before going back to his slip position.
Watch: Babar Azam angrily reacted to Steve Smith’s sledge; showed his his bat
Incredible banter!
Look at how Babar asks Smith only to bat, when he is getting ready to take guard and Smith goes 🙏
😂 😂 😂#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/SYnsDFP7ao
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 29, 2023
Pakistan collapsed from 146/3 to 237 all-out, but not without giving a good fight.
Chasing a target of 317 runs, Pakistan lost Shafique and Imam for low scores, but captain Shan Masood led a terrific counter-attacking, cracking 7 fours in his knock of 60 runs in 71 balls. Babar Azam scored 41 runs.
Though they both got out, other Pakistan batters didn’t shy away from playing their shots. Mohammad Rizwan slogged Nathan Lyon for a six but was dismissed by Cummins for 35 runs. Agha Salman fought valiantly till the end with his 50 runs, but Pat Cummins was too good for Pakistan at the MCG. Cummins took five-wicket hauls in both innings as Pakistan lost by 79 runs.
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