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Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam faced a challenging start to the first Test against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on August 21. On a day marked by delays due to rain and a wet outfield, Babar’s performance added to the frustrations of Pakistani cricket fans.
Babar was dismissed for a duck, getting out on just his second ball, as Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered under pressure. This dismissal was particularly significant as it marked Babar’s eighth duck in Test cricket and his first ever on home soil. His departure left Pakistan reeling at 16/3, struggling early in their innings.
The game had already been reduced to 48 overs on the first day due to the weather, and Pakistan’s batting woes were evident as they lost their first three wickets in less than 10 overs. Babar’s dismissal, coming off a length delivery from Shoriful Islam, added to the pressure on the Pakistani side.
The social media response has been harsh, with fans and critics posting memes and comments highlighting Babar’s recent struggles. He has not scored a fifty in his last 13 Test innings, with his last significant score in Test cricket coming in December 2022 against New Zealand.
Bangladesh’s decision to bowl first proved effective, with Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud taking key wickets. Shoriful Islam had earlier expressed his desire to dismiss Babar, calling him a “dream wicket,” and his performance matched his aspirations.
Despite the early setback, Pakistan’s innings saw a recovery with Saim Ayub and vice-captain Saud Shakeel forming a valuable partnership. Shakeel, unbeaten on 56, and Mohammad Rizwan, not out on 24, will resume the innings on the second day with Pakistan at 158/4 before bad light brought an early end to play on Day 1.
