In a rare setback for Babar Azam, the batting maestro was dismissed for a duck in the first Test against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
This marks Babar‘s first failure to score since April 2021, ending a remarkable streak of 36 innings without a duck with the last dismissal on a duck coming against Zimbabwe in Harare.
Bangladesh, having won the toss, chose to field first in favorable conditions where the green top was prepared for the hosts and their decision quickly proved to be astute as they reduced Pakistan to 16 for 3.
Babar faced just two deliveries before being dismissed, a disappointing conclusion to his brief stay at the crease on the first day of the Test.
This duck is the eighth in Babar’s Test career, spanning 95 innings. Despite this rare blip, Babar remains a pivotal figure in Pakistan’s batting lineup.
His previous extended run without a duck highlights his consistency and skill, making today’s dismissal an unexpected anomaly in his otherwise stellar performance.
The early breakthrough for Bangladesh after the wickets of Abdullah Shafique and skipper Shan Masood underscores their aggressive bowling and potential impact on the match.
All eyes are now on how Pakistan’s middle order adapts to the challenge and whether Babar can quickly bounce back from this rare low during the second innings.
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