Pakistan and New Zealand are facing off in the second Test that kicked off on January 2, Monday, and on Day 5, Friday, it was all about the Pakistani team as they managed to bounce back post losing 2 wickets at the end of the day’s play on Thursday. While veteran Sarfaraz Ahmed stood up for the team with his half-century, Babar Azam, the skipper, made his way back to the dressing room after scoring just 27 runs.
Fans, on the other hand, opined that the right-handed batter let the team down yet again when the team needed him the most. It was a tough day in the office for the Kiwi pacers as they struggled to pick wickets after restricting the Pakistani team to 80/5 early during the chase of 319.
Much to the surprise of Pakistani fans, the likes of Sarfaraz and Saud Shakeel put on an unbeaten 99-run stand for the 6th wicket to push the team to 179/5 at tea on Day 5. While the wicketkeeper remained unbeaten at 65, Shakeel remained at 27. It remained to be seen if the team led by Babar would go for a win, given that they were 140 runs away from the win and with 30 overs left in the game.
Could Pakistan turn things around in second Test?
Pakistan remained without a win at home in Tests in 2022 and the first match almost slipped out of hands when the Kiwis were tasked to score 138 runs within 15 overs and it was the umpires who saved the Pakistani team from facing humiliation on the final day of the initial contest due as they called off the play due to bad light.
With the skipper under pressure, the Pakistani team were shaky right throughout the first two sessions on Day 5 of the second Test, although Sarfaraz kept his nerve, ensuring that the session went wicketless. One has to agree that the momentum was shifting towards Pakistan, although fans claimed that a wicket could start the epic collapse of the tail.
Here’s how fans reacted to Babar Azam’s quick departure during Pakistan’s chase:
Babar azam is immensely talented but I feel like he is not as hardworking as talented. He needs to improve his 4th innings numbers to achieve greatness
— Khurram Iqbal (@khurramiqbal09) January 6, 2023
Jahan matter bade hote hai babar azam so jate hai
— Vedant 🇦🇷 (@Kohlify18) January 6, 2023
Sarfraz ahemad >>>>> babar azam
— abhishek agrawal🇮🇳 (@abhishe92065110) January 6, 2023
In test #PakvsNZ #PAKvNZ
I request to girls never date a boy named "Babar Azam" because he never perform in pressure situations !!#PAKvNZ #CricketTwitter
— An$hu🏴☠️☠️👽💀 (@haramii_balak12) January 6, 2023
Babar Azam performances when his team needed him the most is like Halley's comet. Rarely comes. It's his peak and can't chase down single handedly..!
— Sayam Ahmad (@sayam_ahmad_) January 6, 2023
Fun Fact: Matt Henry has scored more runs than Babar Azam in this test match 😭#PakvsNZ
— Luigi (@Luigi__Tweets) January 6, 2023
In test cricket Babar Azam is just another Kl Rahul with a classy cover drive in his armour..... #PakvsNZ
— Aditya (@hatttbc) January 6, 2023
I still can't remember when Babar Azam played a match winning innings in test cricket.
— Dar | Rizwan stan (@samrdar) January 6, 2023
He is a great red ball player or maybe even the best at the moment but he gives away is wicket too easily.
Most of the time he gets out because of his foolishness.
If you look at his dismissals
Babar Azam's ranking is as useless for Pakistan as Kohli's 71st & 72nd century for India.
— M Irfan Arshad (@Miab_khan1) January 6, 2023
Babar azam ko captaincy se hata q nahi rahe...hadh hogae hai ab...na toss jeeta jata hai na match...apne mulk mai b itni insult...karachi ka captain hota sabse pehle hata dia jata
— Salma Ansari (@SalmaAn99956719) January 6, 2023