Watch: Babar Azam avoids back-to-back ducks' humiliation, thanks to Litton Das' crucial help

Pakistan star batter Babar Azam narrowly avoided a second consecutive duck in the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das dropped a straightforward catch and gave a reprieve to Babar on the fifth day of the ongoing Test match.

Pakistan started the fifth day's play with an overnight score of 23/1 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, August 25. Pakistan skipper Shan Masood was dismissed by Bangladesh bowler Hasan Mahmud. The left-handed batter added just five runs to his overnight score before being dismissed.

Watch: Babar Azam Gets Massive Reprieve In Second Innings

Babar Azam came in to bat at number four after Shan Masood's dismissal. Babar edged a delivery from Shoriful Islam during the 13th over of Pakistan’s second innings in the Test match. Litton Das managed to get both hands to the ball but couldn’t hold on to the catch behind the stumps.

Here is a video showing Litton Das dropping a straightforward catch off the former Pakistan Test skipper in Shoriful Islam's bowling during the 13th over of Pakistan's second innings.

Guess Babar owes Liton a thank-you for saving him from a golden pair!#PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/8yu9i1Vx59

— SportsCafe (@IndiaSportscafe) August 25, 2024

Earlier, the 29-year-old batter was dismissed for a two-ball duck by Shoriful Islam. Babar edged a delivery, and Litton Das made a spectacular diving catch down the leg side. However, Das couldn’t replicate this effort in the second innings when Babar edged another delivery from Shoriful Islam.

Pakistan Bowled For Just 146 Runs In the Second Innings

Babar Azam failed to make the most of the opportunity as he was dismissed for 22 runs off 50 deliveries on the final day. The right-handed batter was bowled by Nahid Rana, leaving Pakistan at 66/3. The hosts then lost wickets at regular intervals against Bangladesh bowlers in the ongoing match in Rawalpindi.

In-form batter Saud Shakeel was dismissed for a duck off Shakib Al Hasan's bowling. Wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan scored 51 runs off 80 balls but didn't get support from the other end. Agha Salman (0), Shaheen Afridi (2), Naseem Shah (3), and Mohammad Ali (0) were dismissed for single-digit scores.

The home team was bowled out for just 146 runs in 55.5 overs. Pakistan recorded their lowest innings total against Bangladesh in Test cricket. The Bangladesh team needed 30 runs to secure the victory in the series opener. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took four wickets, while Shakib Al Hasan secured three wickets.

Babar Azam Looked Shaky Immediately - Kamran Akmal

Reflecting on Babar Azam’s duck in the first innings, former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal said that his struggles are affecting the entire middle order. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Akmal pointed out that Babar's technique is vulnerable on seaming pitches.

"Babar looked shaky immidiately and he is the one who completes this batting lineup. The team looks up to him and trusts him to bail them out of trouble by carrying the middle order. The way he is batting by exposing his wickets will be especially difficult to sustain on seaming conditions," Akmal said.

Also read: Watch- Babar Azam clean bowled by Nahid Rana; Bangladesh pacer gives a fiery send off