Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam had a light-hearted moment on Day 1 of the warm-up game against Prime Minister’s XI. Babar attempted to take new captain Shan Masood’s catch at the non-striker’s end at Manuka Oval, Canberra on December 6.
The incident took place in the 37th over of the innings after Masood won the toss and opted to bat first. Beau Webster was bowling. Masood played the ball down the ground. Babar at the non-striker's end and extended his arm to the right as if he was going for the catch. The video of Babar has gone viral on social media.
In his first game after giving up captaincy in all formats, Babar walked out to bat in the 25th over after opener Abdullah Shafique departed. Babar and Masood shared a 92-run partnership for the third wicket Babar missed his half-century as he was dismissed by Victorian bowler Jordan Buckingham. He scored 40 runs from 88 balls including five fours.
Saud Shakeel who was in the news for his argument with wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed in the nets got bowled by off-spinner Todd Murphy after scoring 13 runs. Sarfaraz scored 41 runs from 47 balls including six fours. He became Buckingham's third victim of the day. Faheem Ashraf was the last to fall on Day 1. He edged one to Cameron Bancroft off Nathan McAndrew's bowling.
Masood remained unbeaten for 156 off 235 balls. His knock was laced with 13 fours and a six. The left-handed batter helped Pakistan post 324/6 before the end of the day's play.
Babar has played a total of five Tests on Australian soil. His record is not impressive after playing in a couple of Test series. The 29-year-old has scored 278 from 10 innings at an average of 27.80 including one century and one half-century.
On the other hand, Masood on the 2019 tour to Australia scored 156 runs from four innings at an average of 39 including one half-century.
After the four-day warm-up game, the Pakistan squad will head to Perth where the Test series will start on December 14. The other two Tests will be played in Melbourne and Sydney starting on December 26 and January 3 respectively.
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