Watch: Babar Azam Tries To Calm Down Shaheen Afridi After Tough Spell Against Australian Batters During 1st Test
Updated - 14 Dec 2023, 01:31 PM
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Pakistan bowlers struggled to take wickets on Day 1 of the first Test in the three-match series against Australia in Perth. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi conceded numerous runs in the opening session as David Warner aggressively took on the opposition bowling attack.
Openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja capitalized on loose bowling after winning the toss. Warner displayed aggression, remaining unbeaten with a score of 72 off 67 by the end of the first session. Australia raced to 117/0 in 25 overs by lunch on the first day’s play.
Watch – Babar Azam Tries To Calm Down Shaheen Afridi
Pakistan’s bowling lineup, led by Shaheen Afridi, included two debutants, Khurram Shahzad and Aamer Jamal. David Warner treated Shaheen like a gully bowler, demoralizing him with a six with a pick-up scoop shot over fine leg from outside the off-stump.
Former captain Babar Azam was seen advising fast bowler Shaheen Afridi to relax and calm down during the first session, as he faced aggressive batting from David Warner. Babar’s immediate intervention to help Shaheen relax went viral moment on social media.
Babar Azam trying to Calm down Shaheen Afridi after he’s been smacked by Australian Batters.#AUSvsPAK
— Ehtisham Siddique (@iMShami_) December 14, 2023
Shaheen managed to dismiss Khawaja, who scored 41 runs off 98 balls, at the start of the second session. All-rounder Faheem Ashraf trapped Marnus Labuschagne in front of the stumps for 16 runs. The Pakistan bowlers hit the right lines and lengths in the 2nd session.
During the last Australian tour in 2019/20, Pakistan experienced one of their most embarrassing Test series defeats. The two-Test series, which was part of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, saw the Asian team endure innings defeats in both games.
Australia vs Pakistan Playing XI
The Pat Cummins-led team made only one change to their playing XI from the Ashes finale in August at The Oval. Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon returned to the side, replacing Todd Murphy in the lineup.
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Also read: ‘Shaheen Afridi Can Trouble Any Batter In The World’ – Shahid Afridi Warns Australia
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AUS vs PAK 2023 Australia National Cricket Team Babar Azam David Warner Pakistan national cricket team Shaheen Afridi Usman Khawaja
