News
Babar Azam feels disappointed after missing his maiden Test century
By Sandy - Oct 19, 2018 5:28 pm
Views 61

Pakistan cricketer Babar Azam has felt disappointed after missing his maiden Test century for just one run in the second and final Test of the series against Australia at Abu Dhabi.

Azam
Babar Azam

Pakistan batsman Babar Azam, who recently became the 24-year-old, scored a duck in the first innings of the Abu Dhabi Test and played an unfortunate 99-run knock in the second innings. Just one run behind from his maiden Test century, Azam was trapped for lbw by the Australian pacer Mitchell Marsh.

Also read: Sarfraz Ahmed Feels Satisfying After Scoring 94

Making his Test debut in October 2016, Azam is still waiting for his maiden Test century and this time he just failed to achieve that and to end his long waiting. Though he is very disappointed with that missing opportunity, he is also hopeful to achieve that in the next Test series that will be against New Zealand in UAE, starting from 16 November 2018.

Azam
Babar Azam

Azam told ESPNcricinfo, “I’m still waiting for the 100. Missed it today and am very disappointed. That hurts. But hopefully in the next series I want to change that. I haven’t changed anything about my Test game. I’m still playing as I do usually but maybe I am just a little bit more positive. If I’m going for a shot, then I’ve just resolved to go for it and not think too much about it.”

Also read: Tim Paine enquires the 3m regulation on lbw dismissal

In the first innings, Babar Azam was one of the Pakistan batsmen, who were involved in the batting collapse of 57/1 to 57/5 in just six balls. Facing the second ball in that innings, Azam went for an unnecessary attacking shot against the Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon but completely missed that delivery and it resulted in a clean bowled.

Also watch – Azhar Ali involves in a bizarre run-out

However, Azam claimed that he wasn’t under pressure in the second innings due to the early first innings’ dismissal.

Azam
Babar Azam

Azam said, “There wasn’t any pressure after that first-innings dismissal. Our plan was that if Nathan Lyon bowled with mid-off and mid-on up, we would take a chance on that. Maybe I went too early, maybe I should’ve gotten more set and that would’ve been better.”

On the day three pitch, Azam played an impressive knock of 99 off 171 balls (6 fours and 3 sixes) but he remained just one run short to achieve his maiden Test century. During that innings, Azam had a 133-run partnership with the skipper Sarfraz Ahmed for the sixth wicket.

Also read: Azhar Ali’s Son Will Tease Him for His Bizarre Dismissal

Talking about his innings, Azam said, “It wasn’t so easy to play on that pitch today, because there was plenty of turn. I needed to take a bit of time and then started to play the game according to how I play. The partnership with Sarfraz was important.

“I don’t think there is any particular problem in the [Test] format. It’s just that some decisions have gone against me, sometimes I haven’t done what I am trying to do, or I’ve gotten close to something and gotten out. I don’t think too much about it. I know that I just have to go out there and perform.”