Pakistan skipper Babar Azam played one of the memorable knocks against Australia on March 31. His knock helped his side chase a mammoth total to level the three-match series by 1-1. The hosts won the toss and elected to field first on a flat track of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Batting first, the visitors lost their skipper Aaron Finch (0) in the first over of the innings.
Meanwhile, the likes of Travis Head (89) and Ben McDermott stitched a partnership of 162 runs before the former was dismissed by leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood. The latter went to score 104 runs including 10 fours and four sixes. McDermott and Marnus Labuschagne added another 74 runs. Labuschagne scored 59 off 49 balls including five fours. Apart from the trio, the likes of Marcus Stoinis (49 off 33) and Sean Abbott (28 off 16) helped the side put up a mountain total of 348/8.
For the Babar Azam-led side, Shaheen Afridi took four wickets, Mohammad Wasim took two while Zahid Mahmood and Khushdil Shah took one each. In reply, the Men in Green got off to a great start as openers Fakhar Zaman (67) and Imam Ul Haq stitched a partnership of 118 runs before the former was accounted for by Stoinis. Haq was joined by his skipper and the duo added another 111 runs for the second wicket.
Haq scored 106 runs off 97 balls including six fours and three sixes before he was caught by Labuschagne off Adam Zampa. The skipper scored 114 off 83 balls including 11 fours and a six before he was dismissed by Nathan Ellis. The likes of Mohammad Rizwan (23) and Iftikhar Ahmed (27*) helped their side go over the line with one over left and six wickets in hand. Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi took to Twitter and wrote that Azam started well but lost the tempo. His tweet didn’t go down well with the netizens.
Amazing WIN🇵🇰!Good start by @babarazam258 but lost his tempo, waiting for him to step up as a match winner. Regardless, great overall performances by @KhushdilShah_ @ImamUlHaq12 @iShaheenAfridi
You made us proud
Keep it up boys ✨ 💚— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 31, 2022
This is how Twitter reacted
lost his tempo? he literally scored 114 (83) at a SR of 137..if that wasn’t a matchwinning innings, I haven’t seen one in my life..distasteful tweet. pic.twitter.com/T5sJpbf3w2
— Salaar (@caniyaar) March 31, 2022
where Babar lost his tempo @iamumar46 don't understand what lala means by this.
— Amaan bin Mahtaab | امان بن Ù…Ûتاب (@Imamaan07) March 31, 2022
Won match for Pakistan you still saying waiting for him to step up as match winner? Really
— Saeed CrickyðŸ (@SaeedCricky) March 31, 2022
Not quite sure if I misunderstood this tweet, but is he actually throwing criticism at @babarazam258? Lost his tempo? Step up as a match-winner? You're a legend but what game were you watching? He did every bit you said and more. He's well on the way to being the GOAT.
— AC (@Asif_C) March 31, 2022
He was Man of the match what do u mean by match winner 🙄
— Mahnoor1996 (@Mahnoor19961) March 31, 2022
— Mustafa (@MustafaSays_) March 31, 2022
In Shahid Afridi's case… pic.twitter.com/hZm3tTlD98
— Saba S. Sheikh (@sabassheikh) April 1, 2022
63% people here know ball 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/1tQOUu0ZJl
— Fakhruu :^) ðŸ (@BajwaKehtaHaii) April 1, 2022
