AUS vs PAK: Watch - Babar Azam, Mitchell Starc Engaged In Heated Exchange During 3rd Test

Pakistan batter Babar Azam didn’t have a great outing with the bat in the ongoing third Test against Australia. The dead-rubber match between the teams is taking place at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney.

The ongoing series has been the worst for Pakistan batter Babar Azam. He hasn’t been able to get going as Australia pacers especially Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are completely over him. They haven’t allowed the former Pakistan skipper to score freely. 

The first two games were torrid for Babar Azam but he looked in good touch in the ongoing third Test. During the second innings of the game, a lot was expected of him because Pakistan were setting a target and his services were needed a lot. 

Babar Azam played a decent role and played some gorgeous shots. But he couldn’t convert the start he got. The right-hander, however, was completely focused and was keen to put up a fight for his team as they eye their first-ever Test win in Australia since long. 

During his innings, one of the most unexpected things was on the fray. Babar Azam, who is mostly calm and joyous in nature, was seen having a fiery face-off with pacer Mitchell Starc, who didn’t go easy on the batter. 

It was during the last ball of the third over that Mitchell Starc was bowling to Saim Ayub. The pacer bowled a delivery that was outside-off to the left-hander. The youngster left the ball and as the pacer was in his follow-through, things got heated up.

Mitchell Starc was seen saying something to Babar Azam in anger. The batter however didn’t hold back as too fired some words back and went ahead. The fast bowler then gave him a deadly stare before going to the field. The video of the incident has gone viral on the internet. 

Here’s the clip: 

Heated combo between Starc and Babar Azam. (Zimbabar thinks he can bat or sledge..!)??#Babar #Starc #PinkTest #AUSvsPAK #PAKvsAUS pic.twitter.com/A8htdMxze6

— bhavishya aneja (@AnejaBhavi55798) January 5, 2024

PAK vs AUS: Babar Azam perishes for 23 runs in the second innings; Pakistan take a lead of 82 runs 

Pakistan were in a prime position in the game to win. However, they have only themselves to blame because of the collapse they suffered during the second innings while setting a target. 

Pakistan bundled out Australia for just 299 runs, taking a lead of 14 runs. It was expected that they would come up with a good outing with the bat in the second innings and set a huge target. They started off torridly as they lost Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood early. 

It was expected that Babar Azam would come up with a great performance when there was a need but he yet again perished after a start. He perished for just 23 runs and overall had a horrible series. In 6 innings, he scored 126 runs at an average of just 21. 

After his wicket, Pakistan had a terrible collapse as they were reduced from 58/2 to 67/7 in no time. Mohammed Rizwan is at the crease and the team would be hoping that he takes them to a big total. At stumps on Day 3, Pakistan had a lead of 82 runs.