Pakistan’s batting mainstay, Babar Azam, faced another setback in the ongoing Test series against Australia, failing to find his form in the third and final Test in Sydney. The right-handed batter, who has been grappling with a lean patch, was once again dismissed by Australian skipper Pat Cummins, marking the third time in the series.
Babar Azam entered the fray in a challenging situation for the Men in Green, as they found themselves reeling at 4-2 in the early stages of the contest. Displaying glimpses of his elegant stroke play, Babar showcased his trademark cover drives initially. However, his promising start was cut short by Pat Cummins, continuing the pattern of the Aussie pacer proving to be his nemesis in this series.
Facing a rare inswinger from Pat Cummins, Babar Azam was a fraction late to bring down his bat. The fullish delivery struck him on the pads, prompting on-field umpire Michael Gough to initially reject the appeal. Australia opted for a review, and the ball-tracking technology revealed that the delivery would have gone on to hit the leg stump, prompting the on-field decision to be overturned.
Babar Azam struggles in Australia
Babar Azam’s struggles with the bat have been a cause for concern for Pakistan, extending from the latter half of 2023 into the beginning of 2024. In this series, Pat Cummins has proven particularly challenging for the former Pakistan skipper, with the dismissal in Sydney marking the third time he has fallen victim to the Australian pace spearhead.
In the series opener in Perth, Babar Azam was caught behind on both occasions. During the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), he fell prey to Pat Cummins yet again, bowled by a delivery that jagged back considerably.
His highest score on the tour, 41, came in the second innings at the MCG, but an untimely dismissal to Josh Hazlewood proved detrimental to Pakistan’s run chase.
With one more innings left in the series, Babar Azam faces the challenge of turning his form around, a task crucial for Pakistan as they aim to avoid a whitewash on Australian soil. As the team looks toward their ace batter, Babar’s response in the final innings will undoubtedly carry significant weight in shaping Pakistan’s performance in the series.
