Pakistan Cricket Captain Babar Azam’s Bizarre Runout Involving Imam-ul-Haq In NZ Test

Pakistan Cricket Captain Babar Azam and batsmen Imam-ul-Haq were involved in a silly runout on Day 2 of the second Test against New Zealand.

In the 25th over, Imam-ul-Haq worked the ball on the leg side. The pair completed two runs easily, but there was all sorts of confusion in the third run. The visuals suggest that Babar Azam ran after Imam-ul-Haq's call, but he refused the run on the last second to leave the 28-year-old in no man's land.

Some people say that the Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam was ball watching and didn't see Imam-ul-Haq while the third run was on.

The runout couldn't have come at a worse time for the home side as Pakistan cricket captain appeared to be in good touch during his knock of 24. Babar Azam also finished 2022 with the highest Test runs, scoring four centuries.

The runout was so disappointing that even the commentators didn't hold back in criticizing Imam-ul-Haq for his calling. Scott Styris called out the left-handed batsman for his mistake and also for his angry reaction to Babar Azam after the dismissal.

It is nothing new for Pakistan to produce Pakistani batsmen who struggle in their running between wickets. Legendary batsman Javed Miandad got run out 8 times during his Test career, which is the most out of any Pakistani batsman. Similarly, the great Inzamam Ul Haq, who is actually the uncle of Imam-ul-Haq, also had a bad reputation while running between wickets.

Babar Azam has now been dismissed six times in his Test career. It is a worrying stat because the 28-year-old is still in his prime and will play a lot of red ball cricket in the future.

The new Peshawar Zalmi captain has shown his running lapses in the recent World T20 too, where he was short of the crease against Netherlands.

Babar Azam has been a fantastic batsman for Pakistan and is arguably the country's finest in the modern era across all formats. But if the Greens want to get more match-winning knocks from the 28-year-old's bat, they want to ensure that Babar Azam improves his running instantly.

Pakistan vs. New Zealand 2nd Test: Summary

At the end of the first day, Pakistan had come back into the match really well after restricting New Zealand to 309/6. The visitors were easily coasting at 224/1. However, quick strikes from Naseem Shah and Salman Ali Agha brought the home side back into the contest.

But the home side were unable to finish off the Kiwi batting line-up as the last wicket stand between Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel frustrated Babar Azam's men. The pair put on a last-wicket stand of 104 runs to bring New Zealand to a first innings total of 449.

Pakistan openers don't seem to get going recently and it continued in this Test. After a solid start, Henry removed Abdullah Shafique. Shan Masood doesn't seem to find any form in Tests whatsoever after a solid World T20 campaign recently.

The left-handed batsman was seen as the successor to Azhar Ali, who retired after the third Test against England last month. However, Masood is yet to make his mark and is running out of chances, especially with Kamran Ghulam waiting in the wings.

Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq tried to take Pakistan's innings forward with some breathtaking shots. But the Pakistan cricket captain got runout after a mixup with Imam-ul-Haq.

Pakistan finished the second day at 154/3, with Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel at the crease. The first Test between the two teams finished as a draw.

---

Continue to take care of the majority of Esball Eu loyal players!

Now! Esball Eu is once again launching the Sign Up free ₹100 Welcome Bonus  and 200% JILI Slot Game Bonus For First Deposit Casino Promotion. 

You can also click to enter the Online Casino Bonus & Promo introduction, which provides more diverse casino bonuses.