Babar Azam scored 41 runs off 28 balls with four fours when Pakistan faced Australia in the third and final T20I on Monday, November 18 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Babar scored only six runs in Brisbane and Sydney, looking completely out of form. But the former Pakistan captain returned to form after top-scoring for his team in the T20I against Australia.
Babar performed for Pakistan, but his team was bowled out for 117 in 18.1 overs. When Babar and Haseebullah Khan put on 44 runs for the second wicket, it seemed that Pakistan would get close to the 180-run mark, but instead they suffered a massive batting collapse and fell well short of playing out 20 overs.
Australia vs Pakistan, 3rd T20I Highlights
Thereafter, Marcus Stoinis came out firing on all cylinders and helped the Aussies chase down the target with 52 balls left in their innings. Stoinis stayed not out on 61 off 27 balls with five fours and as many sixes as the Aussies romped home in 11.2 overs.
Fans, in the meantime, slammed Babar for lack of impact. They put up the example of Stoinis’ knock to show what playing an impactful innings is all about. A section of the fans also advised Aaqib Javed to drop Babar from the T20I team.
For the uninitiated, Javed was recently named as the interim white-ball coach of the Pakistan men’s team until the Champions Trophy to be held next year.
One of the fans wrote, “Aaqib Javed is the only man who can save Pakistan Cricket from going into the Dark Ages. Drop Babar Azam as he’s a bad omen for Pakistan cricket.”
“Aqib Javed was right to drop Babar Azam from Tests. His decision to drop Babar from T20Is would also be supported. Drop #BabarAzam and save Pakistan Cricket,” another fan wrote.
