New Delhi: Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam is known for his reserved demeanor on the field. However, during the second Test match against the West Indies in Multan, he showcased a different side of himself. As the West Indies team struggled at 68-8 on the first day, with Pakistan’s spinners in control, Babar let his guard down and was seen dancing. This spontaneous display highlighted the joy and confidence prevailing within the Pakistan team.
Social media users humorously responded to Babar Azam’s dance moves, drawing comparisons to Virat Kohli.
Babar Azam dancing
pic.twitter.com/UO8V77lM6u — Taimoor Zaman (@taimoor_ze) January 25, 2025
At first, Pakistan seemed to dominate the match, leaving West Indies struggling at 54/8. Nevertheless, the lower-order batsmen from West Indies showed impressive determination. A vital partnership of 41 runs between Gudakesh Motie and Kemar Roach helped stabilize the innings and brought the team closer to 100 runs. This comeback continued, with the last wicket partnership contributing an additional 68 runs. As a result, West Indies managed to reach a commendable total of 163 in their first innings. Interestingly, the last three batsmen in the West Indies lineup ended up being the team’s leading scorers.
Gudakesh Motie was the standout performer with a solid half-century, scoring 55 runs from 87 balls. Kemar Roach contributed 25 runs off 45 deliveries, while Jomel Warrican added 36 runs from 40 balls. The resilience shown by the West Indies lower-order batsmen highlighted their determination and ability to withstand a formidable Pakistani spin attack on a difficult turning pitch.
Babar Azam’s lively dance moves delighted the audience, but his batting performance remains troubling. The prominent batsman was out for just one run off five balls, falling to left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie. This dismissal highlighted Babar’s difficulties in the current Test series, as his score of one was the lowest among the top seven Pakistani batsmen in this innings. Throughout the series, he has only accumulated 14 runs in three innings, resulting in a poor average of 4.66.
Pakistan is likely counting on Babar to make a meaningful impact in the second innings. Successfully pursuing a difficult target on a spinning pitch will demand considerable input from their main players. Babar’s performance will be vital in influencing the match’s result, and his ability to handle a strong spin attack will be under scrutiny.
The West Indies, having been bowled out for 163 in their initial innings, made an impressive recovery. Their bowlers executed a focused performance, limiting Pakistan to just 154 runs, which gave the West Indies a vital nine-run lead. Capitalizing on this advantage, the visitors showcased a solid batting effort in their second innings, accumulating more than 200 runs.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was the standout performer, scoring a solid 52 runs from 74 deliveries. He was well-supported by Amir Jangoo, Tevin Imlach, and Kevin Sinclair, who played crucial roles in helping the West Indies reach a total of 244 in their second innings. In response to this challenging target, Pakistan has lost two wickets early in their pursuit.
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