“Nohi zitega homara morzi” – Twitterati troll Babar Azam and Co. as hosts get bowled out for 216 against England
The Babar Azam-led Pakistan once again failed to deliver in the second innings of the third match in the series against England. They were bowled out for 216 runs on Day 3 (December 19) of the ongoing Karachi Test.
Openers Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood provided the hosts with a decent start but departed for 26 and 24 runs respectively. Azhar Ali was then dismissed for a duck in his last Test appearance.
Babar (54) and Saud Shakeel (53) steadied the ship for Pakistan by sharing a 110-run partnership for the fourth wicket. But under-fire Mohammad Rizwan once again failed to score big, managing just seven runs in a crunch situation.
Agha Salman and Nauman Ali’s vital knocks of 21 and 15, respectively, stretched the team’s total to 216.
Fans were disappointed to witness another dismal batting performance from Pakistan in their second innings. Here are some of the best Twitter reactions:
Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel’s fifties help Pakistan set a 167-run target against England
Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel's half-centuries helped Pakistan extend their lead past 150, and England have now been set a 167-run target.
Spinner Rehan Ahmed took a five-wicket haul on his debut for the visitors, while Jack Leach also bagged three wickets. Mark Wood and Joe Root settled for a wicket apiece.
After losing the Test series 0-2, Pakistan will look to avoid a whitewash against Ben Stokes and Co. The onus will be on Abrar Ahmed and Nauman Ali to save the hosts from another embarrassing loss.
It’s worth mentioning that Pakistan earlier scored 304 in their first innings, courtesy of the fifties from Babar Azam and Agha Salman. In response, England scored 354 and took a 50-run lead despite being 145-5 at one stage, as Harry Brook scored a century and Ben Foakes hit a half-century.
Pakistan are next scheduled to play a two-match Test series against New Zealand. The return of ace pacer Shaheen Afridi after recovering from a knee injury is likely to boost the side.
The opening Test will be played at the same venue as this match against England, and will start December 26 (touted as the Boxing Day Test match).