PAK vs AUS: Steve Smith Reveals Why Babar Azam Could Not Score A Double Hundred In Karachi Test

Babar Azam‘s marathon innings of 196 from 425 balls almost helped Pakistan win the Karchin Test. However, his dismissal on that score meant that the hosts had to stay satisfied with a draw as the three-match test series still stands level at 0-0. The third and final Test starts in Lahore from March 21.

Addressing the press conference, Steve Smith opened up on Babar Azam’s innings. He also spoke about Babar’s dismissal and what might have led to that incident. Smith himself scored 72 with the bat and looked in sublime form until he was dismissed by Hasan Ali.

“When he was on a 196, perhaps he was looking for a boundary maybe through the off-side and just changed his mind a fraction knowing that he was so close to his 200 and that might have brought about his dismissal perhaps,” said Smith on Babar.

The Australian batter further complemented the Pakistan batsmen for batting with intent against the Australian spinners. Abdullah Shafique scored 96 along with Mohammad Rizwan who scored an unbeaten 104. Smith said that the Pakistan batters batted as a collective unit against the Australian bowlers, especially the spinners.

“I thought he played remarkably well against our spinners. Nathan was getting a bit out of the rough, but everything just seemed to hit the middle of his bat until he got out. They made us work really hard for wickets and we were just not good enough to get all 10 in the end.”

Steve Smith also kept a word on his knock. He has scored 250 runs in four innings so far in the Test match with two scores of 70-plus. He is yet to score a century in the series and has his opportunity now in Lahore.

“I have gone on to make big scores, particularly on such wickets. So I was definitely disappointed when I got out after working hard to get there and playing well up to that point. Hopefully can get into a similar position in this Test and go on and convert” said Smith as he concluded his interaction.

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