Pakistan captain Babar Azam continued to experience a rough patch in the Test series against England as he was dismissed for 30 in the second Test at Multan Cricket Stadium. The incident occurred in the 85th over of Pakistan’s first innings when Chris Woakes trapped Babar Azam in front of the stumps, prompting a contentious DRS (Decision Review System) call that became the center of debate.
The Incident
The dismissal happened after England took the second new ball, with stand-in captain Ollie Pope bringing back experienced pacer Chris Woakes for a fresh spell. Woakes, who had been instrumental in breaking key partnerships throughout the match, delivered a sequence of balls that pressured the Pakistan captain.
After bowling a good-length delivery to set the tone, Woakes followed up with a sharp nip-backer, which swung into Babar Azam and struck him on the front pad as he shuffled across the stumps, attempting to play a flick shot. England’s players immediately appealed, and the on-field umpire did not hesitate to raise his finger, signaling Babar out for LBW.
Babar’s DRS Review
Despite the confident appeal from the English team and the apparent nature of the dismissal, Babar Azam opted to use a DRS review, hoping for a reversal of the decision. He signaled for the review after a brief consultation with his partner at the crease, Saud Shakeel.
The TV umpire reviewed the ball’s trajectory using the HawkEye system, which showed the delivery hitting the stumps with three reds – pitching in line, impact in line, and the ball clearly hitting the wickets. Consequently, the on-field umpire’s decision was upheld, and Babar was forced to make his way back to the pavilion.
This review call raised questions about Babar’s judgment, as the ball appeared to be a straightforward LBW dismissal to the naked eye. Some pundits criticized the Pakistan skipper for “wasting” a valuable review in a crucial phase of the match, which could have been better utilized later in the innings.
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Babar’s Recent Form
Babar Azam has been struggling to find his rhythm in the ongoing Test series. While his early innings featured five elegant boundaries that showcased his batting prowess, he has not been able to convert those starts into big scores. His 71-ball stay in the middle ended prematurely, leaving Pakistan in a vulnerable position as they continue to chase a sizable total set by England.
The 30-run knock in Multan adds to a series of underwhelming performances by the Pakistan captain, who had entered the series under pressure to lead from the front with the bat. His decision to use the DRS on what seemed to be a clear dismissal only added to the scrutiny surrounding his form and leadership.
England’s Strategy with Woakes
Chris Woakes, known for his control and ability to swing the ball, was crucial in dismantling Pakistan’s middle order. His spell with the new ball was a strategic masterstroke from England’s temporary skipper Ollie Pope, who has been lauded for his tactical awareness in this series.
Woakes’ ability to bring the ball back into the right-hander, along with subtle variations in length, troubled the Pakistani batsmen. Babar Azam’s dismissal was a key moment in the game, as England successfully broke a potentially dangerous partnership between Babar and Shakeel.
Babar Azam’s dismissal marked a turning point for Pakistan, who were trying to rebuild their innings after early wickets. With Pakistan’s captain back in the pavilion, the pressure mounted on the middle and lower-order batsmen to step up and rescue the innings. The loss of a DRS review added to Pakistan’s concerns, leaving them with fewer opportunities to challenge marginal decisions later in the match.
For England, Woakes’ breakthrough has strengthened their grip on the game. Having already posted a strong total, they are now in a position to enforce further pressure on Pakistan and push for a victory in the Test.
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