Watch: There were many glorious shots played by Babar Azam during his epic Karachi rearguard against Australia, but a cover drive off Mitchell Starc might just be the pick of the bunch.

While the main features of Babar’s innings were his defiance and heroism, there were still enough trademark strokes to catch the eye and send the crowd into a frenzy.

Starc was Australia’s chief weapon in the first innings, claiming 3-28 as Pakistan were skittled for 148. However, he was effectively neutered in the second, bowling 21 fruitless overs, with Babar combining with Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan to defy him.

The shot in question came in the 114th over of Pakistan’s effort, with Babar on 137 not out. With a grace and timing bestowed upon very few, Babar stroked the ball out towards the cover fence, adding four runs to the total.

He ended up dismissed for 196, having guided Pakistan close to safety, with Rizwan completing the job soon after.

Watch Babar gloriously stroke Starc through the covers:

😍#PAKvAUSpic.twitter.com/8oetjvEgfO

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 16, 2022