AUS vs PAK: Babar Azam’s rough patch continues, gets cleaned up by Pat Cummins for 1

It was another day to forget for the Pakistan batter who could only score 1 in this exchange after his 21 and 14 in the first Test, a match that Pakistan ultimately lost by 360 runs.

Azam himself had a pretty rocky year, surrendering his captaincy after Pakistan could not reach the knockout phase of the ODI World Cup.

UNBELIEVABLE!

Pat Cummins gets rid of Babar Azam again – with another BEAUTY! #OhWhatAFeeling @Toyota_Aus #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/iXQ6M7E10l

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2023

In the second Test after Australia ended the first innings with 318 runs, Pakistan are in a spot of bother losing 6 wickets for 194 runs with Mohammad Rizwan and Aamer Jamal holding fort.

Cummins claimed 3-37 and off-spinner Nathan Lyon took 2-48 for Australia. Abdullah Shafique (62) and skipper Shan Masood (54) both made half-centuries, sharing a 90-run partnership for Pakistan’s second wicket.

Pakistan’s openers had survived the new ball before Lyon made the initial breakthrough in the 16th over, removing Imam-ul-Haq caught at second slip for 10 at 34-1.

Australia had resumed Wednesday on 187-3, following a rain-interrupted first day of play in which only 66 of the scheduled 90 overs were bowled.

The home side was bowled out for 318 at lunch Wednesday, losing seven wickets for 131 in an extended morning session that lasted more than two-and-a-half hours.

Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with a patient 63 off 155 balls and Mitchell Marsh crunched 41 off 60 deliveries including six fours and one six.

David Warner, dropped on two, scored 38 in a 90-run opening stand with Usman Khawaja (42) Tuesday. Australia’s second top-scorer was the 51 extras conceded by Pakistan, including 20 byes and 15 wides.