Babar Azam's Blinder During Pakistan-Australia Test Sends Twitter Into A Frenzy
Pakistan bowlers wreaked havoc in Dubai, but Usman Khwaja helped Australia salvage the match
Highlights
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Babar took a brilliant catch at forward short leg to dismiss Starc
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Pakistan failed to dismiss seven Australian batsman on the 5th day
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Usman Khawaja scored 141 runs in the second innings
The first Test match between Australia and Pakistan, held at the Dubai International Stadium, ended in a draw, thanks to a terrific fightback by the Aussie batsmen. Usman Khawaja's composed 141-run knock certainly helped Australia grab the limelight. But the man who took the cake away was Pakistan batsman Babar Azam, who took a stunning catch at forward short-leg to dismiss Mitchell Starc. This happened in the 128th over of the fourth innings, precisely when Starc pushed the ball towards the leg side and Azam dived to his right to pull off this one-handed stunner.
Watch this video:
What a CATCH Babar Azam...#PAKvAUS #AUSvsPAK pic.twitter.com/hIPYcw952L
— Տαηi کشمیری (@TheSaniKhan) October 11, 2018
The Superman-like effort from Babar gathered a lot of praise on social media.
Superman who? We got Babar Azam https://t.co/iOWOD5Unx7
— Shahid (@cricket_worm) October 11, 2018
Brilliant catch taken by the Superman Babar Azam#PakVsAus pic.twitter.com/ZN9BjpIZQ9
— Azaad Umeed-Waar ???? (@azaad_umeedwaar) October 11, 2018
Brilliant catch taken by the Superman Babar Azam#PakVsAus pic.twitter.com/ZN9BjpIZQ9
— Azaad Umeed-Waar ???? (@azaad_umeedwaar) October 11, 2018
WHAT A CATCH! WHAT A MAGNIFICENT CATCH BY BABAR AZAM!
— Muhammad Waleed (@M_Waleed_Shaikh) October 11, 2018
BEAUTIFUL CRICKET. DARING. ATTACKING. SHARP. BEAUTIFUL!#PAKvsAUS
Pakistan on a roll!
— a?__Iq?? (@waheediqbal882) October 11, 2018
Yasir Shah on a roll!
And And Babar Azam we love you for that amazing catch. Victory in sight guys #PAKVAUS pic.twitter.com/WPsv9mqNQq
On the final day of the Test, Australian batsmen, led by opener Usman Khawaja, survived the 90-over Pakistani onslaught. Khawaja batted for eight hours and 44 minutes, facing 302 balls en route to his 141. Along with Usman, skipper Tim Paine (61 not out) and Travis Head (72) also notched up half centuries to save the game for Australia.
Post the hard-earned draw, Australia captain Tim Paine hailed Khawaja's effort terming his knock as "one of the great Test innings". Paine also said the the draw they managed was a combined team effort.
"I am just really proud of the whole group, how they stuck to our plans and kept digging in. I am really proud of Usman, too, on one of the great Test innings. Proud to get something out of it, but we can play a lot better in the next Test, said Paine after the match.
The second Test between both the teams will start from October 16 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
(With AFP Inputs)
Australia Cricket Team
Pakistan Cricket Team
Mitchell Starc