Pakistan skipper Babar Azam became a victim of an unwanted record as he got run out for the sixth time in the oldest format of cricket. 2023 could not have had a worse start for Babar as in his first innings of the year he was run out in a bizarre manner on the second day of play in the second Test match of the series at the National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday, January 3.
Babar Azam was dismissed on 24 off 41 balls after a hilarious mishap with Imam-ul-Haq in the first inning of the second Test match. The left-handed opener backed out on the run at the last minute on the striker’s end and left Babar Azam stranded, who was halfway down the crease.
Watch the video here:
_✔️24.2 *M Bracewell to Imam, out Babar Azam Run Out!! 2 runs* completed Oh dear what a mix-up! Such a needless mishap and Pakistan have lost their skipper.#PakvsNZ #BabarAzam𓃵 #BabarAzam #Imamulhaq pic.twitter.com/nfPxJT6w8J
— Waqas Gujjar (@Gujjar_54) January 3, 2023
Talking about the match, New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. They scored 449 runs in their first innings, courtesy of a ton from Conway. For the last wicket, there was a partnership of more than 100 runs between Matt Henry (68*) and Ajaz Patel (35), which stretched the total to 400.
By the end of the second day’s play, Pakistan scored 154 runs for three wickets in their first innings. Imam-ul-Haq is currently unbeaten on 74, while Saud Shakeel has scored 13 runs.
Leg spinner, Abrar Ahmed was the highest wicket-taker for the Men in Green in the first innings as he clinched 4 wickets, while speedster Naseem Shah and all-rounder, Agha Salman took 3 wickets each for the team.
Coming in to bat, Pakistan lost opener Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood after a chaotic start to their innings. Pakistan had lost two wickets for 62 runs at tea on the second day. The team is still 295 runs behind New Zealand’s score. The first match of the series ended in a draw. Whoever wins the game will take the series.
