Watch: New Zealand fielder drops Babar Azam’s dolly catch in slips in the first Test
Babar Azam (Image Credit: Twitter)
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has been in great form since the three-match Test series against England. Coming off a poor World Cup with the bat during the 20-20 World Cup, the right-hander scored 348 runs in the series. He was only behind the likes of Harry Brook and Ben Duckett. Even though Azam’s team was clean-swept, he was one of the bright spots in the series.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing first Test against New Zealand, the Lahore player got a massive reprieve. Apparently, in the 14th over bowled by Michael Bracewell, Babar tried to play his signature cover drive. However, the ball caught the outside edge of the bat and went straight to Daryl Mitchell at slips. The latter, in return, couldn’t hold on as the ball hit his upper palm and went away.
Watch the video here
https://twitter.com/ShekhawatVika/status/1607254854585700357?s=20&t=ty0mfVNYJHVLGUQi6rv8xw
Babar Azam nearing his another Test hundred
After the reprieve, the Pakistan skipper has been punishing the visitors well so far. At the time of writing, he was batting on 88 runs. His innings have helped the team get out of the chaotic start. The team lost four wickets for just 110 runs. The likes of Abdullah Shafique and Imam Ul Haq got out to Ajaz Patel and Michael Bracewell respectively after playing poor shots.
Saud Shakeel, one of the emerging stars from the England series scored 22 before falling in the cover drive trap set by Kiwi skipper Tim Southee. The left-hander, Shakeel tried to play the cover drive, only to be caught at slips. After his wicket, Sarfaraz Ahmed came in who is making his comeback in Test cricket after almost four years. He and Babar have stitched a partnership of 75 runs and counting. Pakistan score is 185/4 at the time of writing.
