Cricket

'Ab toh routine hogaya hai bhai ka'- Fans react as Babar Azam fails for 3rd time during ongoing Australia tour

Pakistan need Babar Azam to strike form soon as he is arguably the most important player in their ranks. In a tough tour like the current one, they desperately need contributions from their talisman.

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Sarah Andrew
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Babar Azam fell for just one run today and that hasn't helped Pakistan's cause

Babar Azam (Source - Twitter)

Following a heavy defeat in the Perth opener, Pakistan has shown a promising fight in the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Skipper Shan Masood's decision to bowl first paid off handsomely as the Pakistani bowlers restricted Australia to 318 in their first innings. Aamer Jamal, who registered a magnificent six-wicket haul on debut in Perth, claimed three on this occasion. The remaining wickets were well distributed, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mir Hamza, Hasan Ali, and Agha Salman each chipping in with two apiece.

However, the batters have absolutely squandered the advantage, much to the frustration of the team's fans. Pakistan started well as they were 124-2 sometime back before succumbing to 171-6 as the Australian bowlers kept chipping away. Skipper Pat Cummins has done the bulk of the damage as he has picked up three wickets already. Two wickets went to Nathan Lyon while Josh Hazlewood scalped one. 

The onus now falls on wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammed Rizwan to salvage the innings. With the tailenders for the company, Rizwan needs to demonstrate exceptional resilience and build partnerships to keep Pakistan in the game.

Babar's poor run continues

Pakistan's hopes of taking a lead took a significant hit as star batsman Babar Azam fell cheaply for just one run. Skipper Pat Cummins struck the crucial blow in the 36th over with a perfectly executed delivery. Cummins bowled a good-length delivery angling into the right-hander. Azam, attempting a defensive push, saw the ball land on the seam and sneak through the gap between bat and pad, clattering into his stumps.

Azam's early departure undoubtedly dealt a blow to Pakistan's momentum. Having built a steady platform at 124-2, his failure to anchor the innings opened the floodgates for Australian bowlers.

Here's how 'X-verse' reacted to his dismissal:

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