17/05/2026
Disappointment Continue.........
Babar Azamโs 68-run knock in the 1st innings of the 2nd Test against Bangladesh was a fluent, counter-attacking effort where he looked set for a century but fell short. He scored 68 off 84 balls, showing his trademark timing and control before being dismissed by Nahid Rana.
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๐ Key Highlights of the Innings
- Quick scoring start: Babar scored at better than a run-a-ball in his first 25 deliveries, bringing T20 positivity into the Test format.
- Partnership building: With Pakistan struggling at 79/4, he combined with Salman Ali Agha to steady the innings, contributing 34 runs in their 50-run stand.
- Shot of the innings: His straight drive off Shoriful Islam to reach his half-century was described as the most elegant stroke of the day.
- Boundary play: After lunch, he struck consecutive boundaries off Taijul Islam, setting the tone for Pakistanโs recovery.
- Dismissal: Nahid Rana, bowling near 150 kph, set him up with pace before deceiving him with a slower ball, leading to a mistimed chip to mid-on.
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๐ Performance Snapshot
| Aspect | Details |
|------------|-------------|
| Runs Scored | 68 |
| Balls Faced | 84 |
| Strike Rate | ~80.95 |
| Boundaries | Multiple crisp fours, especially straight drives and cover shots |
| Partnerships | Key stand with Salman Ali Agha (50 runs) |
| Dismissal | Caught at mid-on off Nahid Ranaโs slower delivery |
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๐ฏ Context & Impact
- Pakistanโs top-order collapse meant Babar had to play a stabilizing role.
- His innings showed intent and fluency, reminding fans of his PSL form.
- However, his dismissal was labeled a โturning pointโ in the match, as Pakistan soon lost 4 wickets for 42 runs.
- Despite not reaching three figures, the knock highlighted his ability to adapt and lead under pressure.
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๐ Why It Matters
- Babar has faced a century drought in Tests, and this innings looked like the end of it before his dismissal.
- His performance reinforced his reputation as Pakistanโs most reliable batter, but also highlighted the teamโs over-reliance on him.
- The knock added to his growing tally of runs in 2026, where he has already scored centuries in ODIs and T20s.
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Would you like me to break down his best shots from the innings (like the straight drive, cover drives, and flicks) with a visual analysis of his batting style? I can highlight Babar Azamโs batting technique, key partnerships, or Nahid Ranaโs bowling spell that led to his dismissal.
