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PAK vs AUS | 2nd Test: Credit goes to the team for showing self belief, says Babar Azam

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam played a fantastic knock in the second innings of the second Test against Australia that eventually in a draw in Karachi. The right-handed batter missed out on a double ton by just 4 runs as he was dismissed for 196 but played a crucial role in getting the home side back on track in the clash after a dismal batting performance earlier. 

Babar lauded the team for keeping the confidence and also added that this innings is probably the best he has played so far. 

“I think credit goes to the team for having a lot of self belief in themselves and coming back strongly after batting poorly in the first innings. My innings is definitely one of my better ones and I am glad it helped us draw the match,” Babar said in the post match conference.

“In the second innings every one gave his 100 percent because we had self-belief in ourselves we could save the match. We decided to take it session by session and not think too much ahead,” he added. 

The home side had been bundled out for 148 in reply to Australia’s 556/9 (D) in the first innings. Later, the visiting side quickly scored 97/2 (D) in the second innings and handed Pakistan a target of 506 runs. 

Despite an early blow, Pakistan took the control as the hosts rode on some fine batting performances from Abdullah Shafique, Babar and Mohammad Rizwan. Shafique also missed out on a ton by 4 runs after he was dismissed for 96 while Rizwan remained unbeaten at 104 at the end of the match as Pakistan concluded Day 5 at 443/7.   

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PAK vs AUS | 2nd Test | Day 5: Babar Azam, Rizwan show mettle, taking series to decider

After a long day at the office for both Pakistan and Australia, there was nothing that could set the two teams apart. The second Test between the two sides ended in a draw after the home side put up a great fight, courtesy some brilliant batting from opener Abdullah Shafique, captain Babar Azam and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan in the second innings in Karachi. While Shafique was the first one to depart for 96 in the day, Babar on the other hand continued with his form and thoroughly dominated the Australian bowling unit for the majority of the day’s play. But it took just one delivery from Nathan Lyon to send the Pakistan skipper packing for a well-compiled 196. The right-hander was caught by Marnus Labuschagne who was stationed at short leg. But Rizwan on the other side, went on to score a terrific hundred and remained unbeaten at 104 at the end of the match. After the dismissal of Fawad Alam at a team score of 277, Rizwan and Babar joined hands and stitched a partnership of 115 runs for the fifth wicket before the captain eventually departed. The home side then suffered a few quick blows and were reduced to 414/7, giving the Australian side a slight chance of clinching a win. But Rizwan showed great mettle and held the fort at one end to eventually end the clash in a draw. Nathan Lyon scalped four wickets in the second innings for 112 runs in 55 overs while Pat Cummins had a couple of scalps to his name. “The plan was to bat session-by-session and build partnerships. It was a team effort, as others (Shafique and Rizwan) chipped in with useful contributions too. We took the onus and the main focus was to build partnerships right throughout the day. Rizwan was outstanding as he saved the Test for us eventually,” Babar said after the match. The action will now shift to Lahore for the final Test slated to begin on March 21, 2022.