Watch: Iconic off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who is Pakistan’s interim head coach, took on skipper Babar Azam in a one-over duel during a nets session, the video of which was posted by the PCB.
Fans were in for a treat as Saqlain Mushtaq went head-to-head with Azam, considered one of the best batters in the world, during a training session. In the one-over clash, Babar was given a target of 12 runs. “It is a matter of honour for me that I am challenging the world’s number one batsman,” Mushtaq said in the video, before explaining the imaginary fielding positions to Babar.
He went on to explain that there are five fielders on the leg-side and four on the off-side, besides saying that he had kept two players to stop singles if Babar attempted a cut or a reverse sweep. The player, while getting ready to take guard, was in good spirits as he said, “I have to honour his old age. The wicket is low, and his knees are in pain, so if I let him win, he will be happy.”
Mushtaq in reply warns Babar, “No, you have to play with fairness and seriousness.”
Babar hits the first ball that he faces for a single, with the second ball going towards a boundary, which is signaled as two by ‘umpire’ Iftikhar Ahmed. Mushtaq then proceeds to discuss his strategy for the next ball, saying, “He is firmly inside the crease, so I have to bowl wide to lure him outside.”
He proceeds to do exactly what he discussed, as Babar fell into the trap, edging one to the imaginary wicketkeeper behind, as Mushtaq won the game.
Watch the engaging battle between Babar and Mushtaq here:
Will Babar Azam be able to beat the challenge? Witness the chase, as Babar Azam and Saqlain Mushtaq come face to face in National Stadium Karachi.#HumTouKhelainGey #PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/Sy51DPRGdR
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 15, 2021
