Top 3 Test Knocks By Babar Azam vs Australia 

image-lquiam9nBabar Azam [X.Com]

Over the years, few have portrayed batting with the same ease and grace as Babar Azam. The elegant right-handed batter, equipped with an extraordinary repertoire of strokes, effortlessly guides the ball through extra cover with a forward press. Additionally, he displays finesse in rocking back to pull the ball through midwicket. One cannot help but admire his back-foot punches, which consistently evoke admiration.

In the history of white-ball cricket, these moments of brilliance have characterized Babar's international career from the beginning. However, conquering Test cricket posed a more formidable challenge initially. Eventually, Babar deciphered the formula for success in Test cricket. With over fifty Tests (51) under his belt, he has amassed 3849 runs at an impressive average of 46.37, including nine centuries. 

Notably, 876 of these runs have come against Australia, marking the highest tally against any Test-playing nation. These stats underscores Babar's affinity for facing the mighty Australian team. In the 12 matches against Australia, Babar boasts an impressive average of 39.82, featuring two centuries and four scores exceeding fifty. It is interesting to note that both times Babar reached a century against Australia, he was dismissed by Nathan Lyon. 

As Australia stands out as Babar's preferred opponent in the longest format of the game, let's revisit three of his most exceptional innings against the World Test Championship 2023 winners.

196 (425) in Karachi, 2022

image-lqtgmjikBabar's best hundred in international arena came in Karachi. (AP)

This herculean innings from skipper Babar in Karachi will be remembered for a long long time. With the pressure of avoiding a defeat having been set a mammoth total, Babar's marathon performance not only thwarted Australia's victory but also set multiple Test records.

Scoring 196 runs off 425 deliveries, including 21 fours and a six, Babar fell just four runs short of a double century before being dismissed by Nathan Lyon. Coming to the crease with team reeling at 21/2, he smashed his best Test score and contributed to Pakistan's second innings total. The centurion was undone by Lyon with team reaching 392/5 by the time of his departure.

Babar's record-breaking innings ensured the series remained level at 0-0 heading into the third Test, which Australia won. On Day 4, he joined the action with Pakistan facing a potential second-Test loss at 21/2. Batting for an impressive 137 overs, he accumulated 196 runs, narrowly missing the elusive double hundred.

Staying at the crease for 607 minutes and facing 425 deliveries, Babar made new records for Pakistan in Test cricket. He became the first Asian player to spend more than 10 hours in the 4th innings of a Test match.

104 (173) in Brisbane, 2019

image-lqtgolw0Babar was at his absolute best at Gabba in 2019. (AP)

Babar came to Australia for the Test series with a clear goal – and he successfully met the challenge. Facing a formidable trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins on a lively Gabba pitch during the first Test, Babar endured a tough start, getting out for a mere 1 in the first innings. However, he bounced back remarkably, displaying a batting masterclass in his second turn. Despite a top-order collapse, the resilient right-handed batter fought valiantly to score his second Test century. Unfortunately, his outstanding efforts couldn't prevent Pakistan from losing the game by an innings and five runs.

With Pakistan struggling at 64 for 3 at the end of the third day, Shan Masood and Babar took charge. Their partnership of 68 runs came to an end when Masood departed after scoring 42. Ifitkhar Ahmed's brief stay was cut short by Hazlewood, leaving Babar and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan to spearhead Pakistan's counterattack.

Babar and Rizwan's partnership for the sixth wicket was worth 132 runs, with the former reaching his century, becoming only the third Pakistani batter to achieve this feat at the Gabba. However, he couldn't convert it into a big score, falling to Lyon just before the tea break.

97 (132) in Adelaide, 2019

image-lqtgqsjzBabar missed out on a well-deserved century in Adelaide. (AP)

It was one of those days in which Babar will look back and say Oh I missed out on a golden opportunity to score back to back Test hundreds on Australian soil. Although Babar fell three runs short of what could've been his second ton in Australia and his first in a day night Test match, it will not take anything away from the way he constructed his innings. Batting at number 4, Babar's knock of 97 came off 132 balls and included 11 boundaries.

Starting the day at 96/6, Babar and Yasir Shah elevated their seven-run partnership to a commendable 105-run stand before Babar succumbed, caught behind off Mitchell Starc, tantalizingly close to his century.

Pakistan's innings concluded at 302, providing Australia with a substantial 287-run lead. Yasir's resilient innings of 113, crafted from 213 balls and adorned with 13 boundaries, came to an end when dismissed by Cummins. Despite the efforts of Babar and Yasir, Pakistan suffered defeat in the game by an innings and 48 runs.