Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was not happy with Steve Smith poking him during the AUS vs PAK 2nd Test on Friday. It all started when Pakistan came back after the tea break. Skipper Shan Masood and Babar were at the crease as Steve Smith said something to the former Pakistan captain while he was taking his guard. Replying to Smith, Babar almost gave his bat to him. The Australian enjoyed the banter, and he smilingly apologized with folded hands towards him.
Babar failed to score a Test fifty in 2023
Babar’s performance in 2023 has been underwhelming, with only 204 runs scored in 10 innings of Test cricket. His average in Australia, a challenging venue for many visiting batsmen, stands at a modest 24.15 from 2016 to 2023. This year, he has not managed to score a single Test fifty, which is a stark contrast to his overall Test average of 46.37 from 51 matches.
Meanwhile, Pakistan suffered another series defeat as the Aussies won the Boxing Day Test match quite easily at the end. Australian skipper Pat Cummins led from the front as he scalped five-wicket hauls in both innings.
“Boxing day is the biggest Test match of the year and it was a nice Christmas buildup to it. Felt okay. They were playing nicely. Little bit twitchy when they needed less than a 100 runs but happy with the result and with the Rizwan wicket. Try to get as many as we could, 300 was the aim and we got over that, we knew we had enough bowling to win,” said Cummins.