Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam narrowly avoided a second consecutive defeat in the first Test match of the two-match series against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das dropped a single ball and gave Babar a breather on the fifth day of the ongoing Test match.
Pakistan began the fifth day of play with an overnight score of 23/1 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, August 25. Pakistan captain Shan Masood was dismissed by Bangladesh bowler Hasan Mahmud. The left-handed batsman added just five runs to his overnight score before being dismissed.
Watch: Babar Azam gets massive reprieve in second innings
Babar Azam came in to bat at the fourth over after the departure of Shan Masood. Babar edged a delivery from Shoriful Islam during the 13th over of Pakistan’s second innings in the Test match. Litton Das managed to get both hands on the ball but could not retain it behind the stumps.
Here is a video showing Litton Das taking a single catch off former Pakistan Test captain Shoriful Islam’s bowling during the 13th over of Pakistan’s second innings.
I guess Babar owes Liton a thank you for saving him from a golden couple!#PakistanCricket photo.twitter.com/8yu9i1Vx59
– SportsCafe (@IndiaSportscafe) August 25, 2024
Earlier, the 29-year-old batsman was dismissed for a two-ball duck off Shoriful Islam. Babar edged a delivery and Litton Das took a spectacular diving catch on the leg side. However, Das could not repeat this effort in the second innings when Babar edged another delivery off Shoriful Islam.
Pakistan scored just 146 runs in the second innings
Babar Azam did not make the most of the opportunity as he was dismissed for 22 runs off 50 deliveries on the final day. The right-handed batsman was bowled by Nahid Rana, leaving Pakistan at 66/3. The hosts then lost wickets at regular intervals against the Bangladesh bowlers in the ongoing match in Rawalpindi.
Batsman Saud Shakeel, who was in fine form, was dismissed for an error in the bowling of Shakib Al Hasan. Wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan scored 51 runs off 80 balls but received no support from the other end. Agha Salman (0), Shaheen Afridi (2), Naseem Shah (3) and Mohammad Ali (0) were dismissed for single-digit scores.
The home team was bowled out for just 146 runs in 55.5 overs. Pakistan recorded their lowest innings total against Bangladesh in Test cricket. The Bangladesh team needed 30 runs to secure victory in the series opener. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took four wickets while Shakib Al Hasan secured three wickets.
Reflecting on Babar Azam’s first-innings defeat, former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal said his woes are affecting the entire middle order. On his YouTube channel, Akmal pointed out that Babar’s technique is vulnerable on seaming pitches.
“Babar looked shaky straight away and he is the one who completes this batting line-up. The team looks up to him and trusts him to get them out of trouble by leading the middle order. The way he is batting, exposing his wickets, will be especially difficult to sustain in seaming conditions,” Akmal said.
Also Read: Watch: Babar Azam bowled by Nahid Rana; Bangladesh player bids farewell fiercely