Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam faced a disappointing outing in the second ODI against New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Chasing a target of 293 runs, Pakistan lost Abdullah Shafique early, and fans expected Babar to anchor the innings. However, his stay at the crease lasted just three balls, as New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy dismissed him for a solitary run. This failure triggered a wave of online trolling, with fans sarcastically pointing out that Babar “missed a century by just 99 runs.”
“Cricket is a game of uncertainties, and even the best players have tough days.” – Cricketing Wisdom
Pakistan started their chase on a shaky note, losing Abdullah Shafique for 6 runs. As Babar walked in, expectations were high, but his innings ended quickly. Jacob Duffy, bowling a back-of-a-length delivery, forced Babar into an uncomfortable position. The ball caught the outside edge of his bat and landed safely in the slip cordon.
As soon as Babar Azam’s wicket fell, Twitter and other social media platforms exploded with reactions. Fans and critics flooded the internet with memes and sarcastic comments. Some joked about how he was “just 99 runs away from a century,” while others compared his performance to his past match-winning knocks.
1. Pitch Conditions: The surface at Seddon Park provided good assistance to fast bowlers, making it tough for batters. 2. Quality Bowling: Jacob Duffy exploited the conditions well, delivering a perfect ball that dismissed Babar. 3. Early Pressure: Pakistan’s early wicket loss forced Babar into a tricky situation, adding to the pressure.
Pakistan has struggled to find consistency in the series against New Zealand. The top order has failed to fire, and their middle order has not provided enough stability. With Babar’s early dismissal, Pakistan lost momentum, making the chase even harder.
Despite this failure, Babar Azam remains one of Pakistan’s finest batters. A single bad performance does not define a player, and he has the potential to bounce back stronger. As Pakistan looks ahead to the remaining matches, Babar will aim to silence critics with a match-winning knock.
Cricket fans can be harsh, but every great player faces setbacks. Babar Azam’s dismissal may have disappointed Pakistan supporters, but his legacy remains intact. With more matches ahead, all eyes will be on him to deliver a classic comeback performance!
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