Watch: Babar Azam drops a sitter to allow Joe Root to score a record-breaking 6th double hundred in Multan Test

Babar Azam dropped an easy catch of Joe Root on the fourth day of the ongoing first Test between Pakistan and England in Multan. Fans took to social media to criticize Babar for his blunder as Joe Root completed a double century in the first innings of the Test match on Thursday, October 10.

Pakistan bowlers struggled on a flat pitch during the match. England finished with 492 runs for three wickets at the stumps on Day 3. Joe Root and Harry Brook began comfortably on the fourth day without facing much pressure. However, pacer Naseem Shah managed to induce a false stroke from Root.

Watch: Babar Azam Drops A Sitter Before Joe Root's Double Century

The England batter attempted a pull shot off Naseem but mistimed it. The ball flew towards Babar Azam, who was stationed at mid-wicket. Babar dropped the straightforward opportunity despite the ball coming at a catchable height. The crowd and Pakistan were disappointed with the dropped catch.

Here is the video of Babar's inexplicable drop:

Babar Azam has dropped an absolute dolly.

- Naseem Shah can't believe it. pic.twitter.com/raznGrvcVO

— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) October 10, 2024

This missed catch proved costly for the Pakistan team, led by Shan Masood. Root got a reprieve when he was on 186 runs in the morning session. He made the most of the opportunity and dominated the Pakistan bowling attack. The batter reached his sixth double-century for England in Test cricket.

That's A Waste From Babar Azam - Steven Finn

Former England fast bowler Steven Finn said that Babar was feeling fatigued, but added that such errors are unacceptable. Finn said that the dropped catch could demoralize bowlers, as Joe Root quickly capitalized on the opportunity to put pressure on the Pakistani side.

Babar Has Been Struggling To Score Across Formats

Babar had a disappointing performance in the two-match series against Bangladesh. He scored just 64 runs at an average of 16 in Pakistan's embarrassing 0-2 defeat. The right-handed batter managed only 30 runs in the first innings of the ongoing Test against England on the flat pitch in Multan.

The 29-year-old averages just 20.42 in Tests this year without any half-centuries. Last year, the former Pakistan skipper averaged 22.66 in five Tests. Pakistan will rely heavily on Babar to regain his form and prevent a sixth consecutive Test defeat with England set to take a massive first-innings lead.

Also read: Joe Root 'tired' after breaking Sir Alastair Cook's all-time Test record for England