[Watch] Babar Azam drops a sitter to hand Joe Root a reprieve on 186 on Day 4 of PAK vs ENG 1st Test 2024
Pakistan's woes continued when Babar Azam dropped a sitter on Day 4 (October 10) of the first Test against England in Multan. What made the drop worse was that it handed a reprieve to the seemingly unimpeachable Joe Root on 186.
On a flat track, the Pakistan bowlers toiled with little to show for on Day 3 with England finishing on 492/3 at stumps. The fourth day started much like the opening three days with the unbeaten centurions Root and Harry Brook looking untroubled.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, pacer Naseem Shah induced a false stroke off Root's willow when he failed to keep his pull shot down and smashed it straight to Babar at mid-wicket.
However, the former Pakistan captain fluffed the opportunity, much to the dismay of the bowler.
Here is a video of Babar's drop catch:
Unfortunately for Pakistan, Root made them pay a heavy price as he raced away to his double ton off 305 deliveries.
His partner Brook is nearing a double century of his own, batting on 172 off 210 deliveries as England have reached 551/3 and trail Pakistan by only five runs.
Babar Azam's drop a continuation of his rough home Test season
Babar Azam dropping a catch was almost par for the course, considering his recent woes in Test cricket.
The 29-year-old had a series to forget in the two-match affair against Bangladesh before the ongoing England Test. Babar scored only 64 runs at an average of 16 as Pakistan suffered a humiliating 0-2 series defeat.
The former skipper missed out even on the flat Multan wicket in the first innings of the ongoing match, scoring just 30 before being trapped LBW by Chris Woakes.
Babar averages a dismal 20.42 in Tests this year with no half-centuries and a highest score of only 31. His poor form dates back to last year when he averaged a sub-par 22.66 in five Tests following a remarkable 2022 in which he averaged almost 70.
With England on course for a massive first-innings lead, Pakistan will need their champion batter to be at his best to avoid a sixth consecutive Test defeat.