PAK vs AUS: "Praying For His Big Innings" - Mohammad Hafeez Backs Struggling Babar Azam

Babar Azam’s woes with the bat continued as he was just able to score 41 runs in the second AUS vs PAK Test played in Melbourne. Pakistan lost the second Test by 79 runs and helped the Aussies take an unassailable lead in the series. The third match of the series will be played from January 3, 2024.

Mohammad Hafeez, who took as over Pakistan’s director and head coach, highlighted the importance of Babar Azam in the Pakistani team. As per Hafeez, the team wants Babar to play a big innings and they are praying for it. Hafeez mentioned that Babar Azam spent some positive time at the crease during the second innings.

Mohammad Hafeez praying for Babar Azam’s big knock

Mohammad Hafeez said after Pakistan lost to Australia in the second Test, “Babar is a brilliant player. We are praying for his big innings. The way he fought out in the second innings, and the time he spent on the pitch was very positive. Which is a rotation necessary for a batsman to create a strong position.”

Mohammad Hafeez added, “How strong his defence was and his shot range, this is a very important thing. I feel that Babar’s work which has to be done is being done before any big innings. In the net, he is playing very well which will give confidence and we are looking to Babar Azam to play a big innings and win Pakistan a match.”

Mohammad Hafeez: “We’re looking to Babar Azam to play a big innings and win Pakistan a match.”#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/M9sZGgZuhs

— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) December 29, 2023

Babar Azam also displayed a dismal performance during the 2023 ODI World Cup and he was just able to score 320 runs from nine matches. Babar was only able to score one half-century throughout the tournament and played below his standards.

Babar Azam’s failure with the bat was also one of the major reasons behind Pakistan’s poor performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Pakistan were knocked out from the round-robin phase of the tournament and once again faced an early knockout from the 50-over World Cup.

Apart from Babar Azam, the Pakistani pace attack was also one of the major reasons behind Pakistan’s poor performance in the current Australian tour.

Shaheen Shah Afridi has not been able to pick up wickets and also his pace has declined over the years. Afridi faced an injury during the 2022 T20 World Cup and ever since his recovery he has not been at his best.

Another major reason behind Pakistan’s dismal run during the Australian tour has been the non-performance of opener Imam ul-Haq.

The third Test of the series will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Pakistan will be aiming to finish the series with a win. The Pakistani team is yet to win a Test series in Australia since 1995 and now they will want to end the tour with a win.