Twitter Reactions

‘Incoming delivery outgoing Babar’- Fans react as Babar Azam fails again in 2nd innings vs Australia in Melbourne

The 2nd test between Australia and Pakistan is coming to an end, Australia is tightening their grip on the match as Pakistan has lost their fifth wicket in the form of Saud Shakeel and they are still 139 runs behind the target of 317 runs. 

After giving away a significant lead of 54 runs in the first innings, Pakistan’s fast bowlers brought them into the game as Australia gained 16-4 in the second innings but a brisk innings of 96 runs from Mitchell Marsh and handy contributions of 50 and 53 runs by Steve Smith and Alex Carey respectively in the middle order carried them to a fighting total of 262 runs in the seconds innings.

Pakistan pacer saves the day for Pakistan

Mir Hamza and Shaheen Afridi led the charge of the Pakistan bowling attack by taking 4 wickets each and putting the Australian total in the second innings under check. Pakistan has a stiff yet achievable target of 317 runs in the fourth innings to achieve history in Melbourne. 

Pakistan lost both their openers cheaply and were lingering at 49-2 until skipper Shan Masood and Babar Azam stitched a steady partnership of 61 runs. Just when things were looking under control for Pakistan they lost the wicket of Shan Masood for 60 runs leaving the scoreboard at 110-3.

Babar Azam’s woes continue

Pakistan now had all their hopes pinned down on their batting stalwart Babar Azam, who was going through a tough time but had got to a good start and was playing some crisp shots. It was not meant to be for long as Babar Azam got out to a beautiful in-swinger by Josh Hazlewood.

Babar Azam’s woes against the in-swinging deliveries continued as he has got out similarly quite a lot in the recent past. Whether it was Hardik Pandya in the Asia Cup or Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the second innings, Babar Azam’s glaring weakness against the sharp in-swinging deliveries is not an open secret that is being exploited by many currently.

Babar Azam’s prolonged failure on the big stage and against the stronger team brought him under the scanner recently and now getting dismissed in a similar fashion against Australia has got the social media going with fans giving their views on the classy batter. Here are some of the tweets on the social media platform X by fans:

Incoming delivery, Outgoing Babar pic.twitter.com/VKtUAWAmBV

— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) December 29, 2023

The delivery of the summer to Get GOAT Babar Azam 💔🤍

— Haris Arshad (@harris00071) December 29, 2023

We need No 1 Babar Azam back💔💔🤯

— Muhammad Zubair (@MZaibi74) December 29, 2023

Good batting by babar azam, he scored 41 runs which is more than expectations of everyone pic.twitter.com/bXNY9eXoLw

— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) December 29, 2023

Dream has been shattered 💔😭

— عاقد (@aquidtweets) December 29, 2023

It indeed was a great setup by Hazelwood, kept moving the ball away, even got the outside edge, and then one that comes back in to get the wicket.

— Mr. Critic (@dacriticizer) December 29, 2023