'Babar Azam should bat at number four' Imran Khan messages Wasim Akram
The 2nd Test is scheduled to be played at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide that will begin on November 29.
(Web Desk) – Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has sent a special message for batsman Babar Azam – who displayed magnificent rearguard action alongside Mohammad Rizwan in the first test against Australia in Brisbane on Sunday – that the right-handed batter should play at number four position, said former legendary pacer Wasim Akram.
Akram said that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is highly impressed with the performance of Babar Azam. The 53-year-old also added that the PM had texted him to congratulate the young batsman for his brilliant batting.
“PM Imran Khan messaged me to wish all the best to Babar Azam for the way he batted. He also mentioned that in his cricketing opinion Babar is such a good batsman and has a great technique that he should bat at number four eventually.”
Australia defeated Pakistan by an innings and five runs in the first Test at The Gabba.
However, Azam showed the quality many believe will one day make him one of the world’s best batsmen in a superb 173-ball innings, hitting 13 fours including the confident drive that brought him to cricket’s most significant milestone.
He was caught behind off Lyon for 104 half an hour before tea - a slightly quicker ball catching the outside edge of his bat and flying through to wicketkeeper Paine.
Rizwan had already secured his first test half-century and was not done yet, batting expansively as he moved towards what would have been his maiden century only to misjudge an uppercut on 95 with Lyon taking the catch at deep backward point.
The hosts needed only seven wickets on Sunday to ensure they would take a 1-0 lead to Adelaide Oval for the second and final match of the series but Azam’s second test century and 95 from Rizwan stalled their march to victory.
The pair were finally dislodged after a 132-run partnership and the Australian quicks finished the job with the second new ball, dismissing the last four batsmen for 30 runs to maintain Australia’s 31-year unbeaten run at the Gabba.
Pakistan’s dream of an unlikely maiden test series triumph in Australia might now be gone but their fightback on Sunday should give them renewed hope heading into the second test, a day-night affair which begins on Friday.
Captain Azhar Ali paid tribute to Azam and Rizwan as well as 16-year-old debutant pace bowler Naseem Shah, but rued the batting collapse on day one of the match.
“I think on the first day we won two sessions but we lost one very badly,” he said.
“I think if you lose one session very badly it is always very hard to come back from that, especially against Australia in Australia.”
The 2nd Test is scheduled to be played at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide that will begin on November 29.
