Twitter goes berserk as Babar Azam and co. eke out famous draw

Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur was one of the many cricket pundits and fans, who took to their official Twitter account on Wednesday evening to hail the Pakistan team for its awesome performance. The home side was phenomenal against Australia in Karachi as they ended the 2nd Test as a draw with some valiant fight.


On Wednesday, Pakistan batting-unit-led by their skipper Babar (196 off 425 deliveries) showed what one can achieve if they show grit, desire, and unrelenting passion to overcome the odds stacked against them.


Having been bowled out for a mere 148 in their first innings and being asked to chase down an improbable total of 500+ in the better part of 6 sessions on Day 04 and 05, the home side was up against it big time.


And, when the Pakistan side lost their centurions from the last game, Imam-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali at the score of 21, it looked like Australia would finally earn a win in Asia after five years.


Enters Babar Azam. The champion cricketer was under immense pressure both as captain as well as a batsman leading into this knock. He hadn't scored a Test ton since February 2020, and his side was on the brink of a shambolic defeat at home.


However, the 27-year-old once again displayed why he is one of the leading lights of the modern era. He showed immense concentration, patience, grit, and along with opener, Abdullah Shafique, blunted the Aussie attack into the ground.


Azam and Shafique added 229 runs for the 3rd wicket, and while the latter fell four short of a well-deserved hundred, the former kept going on and on.


He found an able ally in Mohammad Rizwan (104* off 177 deliveries), and the duo went on to add another 120 runs for the sixth wicket to keep Australia at bay.


Azam surpassed former England captain Michael Atherton's record of highest 4th inning score by a captain but the stylish batsman agonisingly fell short of 4 runs from what would have been a sensational double ton.


Nathan Lyon brought an end to his knock, and it sent jitters in the home side dressing room as Lyon knocked over Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali cheaply.


But, Rizwan, who completed a brilliant century during the closing stages, ensured that Australia didn't run through the tail, helping his side to an incredible draw.


Both sides will now aim to clinch the series in Lahore. The third and final Test will commence on March 21.


Here's how Twitter reacted to Pakistan's incredible heist in Karachi:













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PAK vs AUS | 2nd Test | Day 5: Babar Azam, Rizwan show mettle, taking series to decider

After a long day at the office for both Pakistan and Australia, there was nothing that could set the two teams apart. The second Test between the two sides ended in a draw after the home side put up a great fight, courtesy some brilliant batting from opener Abdullah Shafique, captain Babar Azam and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan in the second innings in Karachi. While Shafique was the first one to depart for 96 in the day, Babar on the other hand continued with his form and thoroughly dominated the Australian bowling unit for the majority of the day’s play. But it took just one delivery from Nathan Lyon to send the Pakistan skipper packing for a well-compiled 196. The right-hander was caught by Marnus Labuschagne who was stationed at short leg. But Rizwan on the other side, went on to score a terrific hundred and remained unbeaten at 104 at the end of the match. After the dismissal of Fawad Alam at a team score of 277, Rizwan and Babar joined hands and stitched a partnership of 115 runs for the fifth wicket before the captain eventually departed. The home side then suffered a few quick blows and were reduced to 414/7, giving the Australian side a slight chance of clinching a win. But Rizwan showed great mettle and held the fort at one end to eventually end the clash in a draw. Nathan Lyon scalped four wickets in the second innings for 112 runs in 55 overs while Pat Cummins had a couple of scalps to his name. “The plan was to bat session-by-session and build partnerships. It was a team effort, as others (Shafique and Rizwan) chipped in with useful contributions too. We took the onus and the main focus was to build partnerships right throughout the day. Rizwan was outstanding as he saved the Test for us eventually,” Babar said after the match. The action will now shift to Lahore for the final Test slated to begin on March 21, 2022.