Pakistan v England 2022/23

Watch: Babar Azam dances down, smashes big six to bring up classy fifty in style

by Wisden Staff December 3, 2022 - 9:15am 2 minute read

Watch: Babar Azam brought up his half-century in style in the first Test at Rawalpindi, depositing Jack Leach over the leg-side for six.

The first Test between Pakistan and England has been drenched in runs so far, with the tourists breaking all manner of records on their way to 657 all out and the hosts responding with 363-3.

Both Pakistan’s openers made centuries – making this the first Test to witness two double century opening stands, and the first Test in which all four openers have made first-innings tons – and when England did finally manage to take a few wickets, Babar set about wresting back the initiative.

The Pakistan captain has built a stellar record across formats, averaging nearly 50 in Tests, nearly 60 in ODIs, and more than 40 in T20Is, and he looked untroubled as he built his innings at a good rate.

The 28-year-old brought up his 31st fifty-plus score in Tests in style, dancing down the track to Leach and smashing the left-arm spinner way beyond the boundary at midwicket.