KARACHI: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s match-saving and record-breaking 196 against Australia in the final innings of the second Test in Karachi has been lauded as among the best fourth innings batting displays this century by Wisden.

Babar’s 10-hour stay on the National Stadium pitch ranked third among the 10 best match-saving fourth-innings efforts of the 21st century, released on Thursday.”

The hosts had been bowled out for 148 in the first innings and were under immense pressure in the second innings after being set a target of 506. All of this didn’t seem to matter to Babar, who played an all-time great knock,” the report added.

The report said the Pakistan captain lived up to his reputation when his team needed him the most and “piled misery” on the Australian team to raise hopes of Pakistan’s win.

Right-handed Babar had come in to bat when the team was reeling at 21 for 2. He had formed an incredible 228-run partnership for the third wicket with Abdullah Shafique but did not flinch even when the young’un departed a few short of his century.

The skipper was closing in on his first-ever double century when he fell prey to off-spinner Nathan Lyon. In all, he had scored 196 off 425 balls, hit 21 boundaries and a solitary six.

It was his best and most memorable knock in Pakistan colours — certainly in Tests and maybe even in all formats.

Babar during his 196-run knock broke three records -- highest score by a Pakistani batter in fourth innings, highest score by a captain in fourth innings and most balls consumed by a Pakistan batter in fourth innings.

“It was a team effort, as others chipped in with useful contributions too,” the Pakistan captain had said after the match. “We tried to be positive and play our shots. The team needed this knock, so I tried to bat for as long as I could.”

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2022