Babar Azam is slowly but surely turning into Pakistan’s man with the golden arm. In his first 35 Test matches, the Lahore-born cricketer didn’t roll his arms over despite having bowling experience in domestic cricket. But over the last three months or so, Azam has been trying his hands at bowling and has been tasting […]
Babar Azam is slowly but surely turning into Pakistan’s man with the golden arm. In his first 35 Test matches, the Lahore-born cricketer didn’t roll his arms over despite having bowling experience in domestic cricket. But over the last three months or so, Azam has been trying his hands at bowling and has been tasting quite a bit of success at the highest level.
Back in December 2021, Azam picked up his first Test wicket during Pakistan’s Test against Mominul Haque Showrabh’s Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The part-time off-break bowler trapped Mehidy Hasan Miraz in front to pick up his maiden Test scalp. The dismissal came at a time when the hosts were desperately trying to save the game.
Almost three months later, Azam picked up his second Test scalp in the form of Alex Carey. The pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi for the second Test has turned out to be helpful for the batters. Pakistan used as many as seven bowlers across two days, but failed to bowl Australia out. Carey was looking for a magnificent Test ton.
He was also involved in a 98-run stand with Mitchell Starc, who stayed unbeaten on 28 off 95 balls. Babar bowled a flighted delivery outside the off-stump and Carey went for a full-blooded sweep shot. But the batter missed the ball completely and saw his stumps go for a walk.
WATCH: Babar Azam turns his arm over on lifeless wicket in Rawalpindi
Babar, thereby, denied Carey his maiden Test ton and also doubled his Test wicket tally. The wicket came late in the day for Pakistan, who had to work hard for the wickets.
He told us he is an all-rounder, and who are we to doubt!
#BoysReadyHain l #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/biqQm8Wv1B
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 13, 2022
At Stumps on Day two, Australia scored 505 for the loss of eight wickets. Khawaja, who was unbeaten after the first day’s play, scored 160 runs off 369 balls with the help of 15 fours and one six. Sajid Khan castled him to cut short his stay in the middle.
Night-watchman Nathan Lyon also scored 38 useful runs before getting out to Faheem Ashraf. The onus is now on Starc and skipper Cummins to add more runs before putting Pakistan in to bat.
