Watch: In a lighthearted moment, Babar Azam jokingly offered his bat to Steve Smith, who refused and folded his hands during the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and Pakistan at the MCG.
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Soon after tea on day four, Babar Azam was taking guard to face Nathan Lyon as Pakistan were in pursuit of gunning down the 317 set by Australia. Steve Smith, who was fielding in the slips, came to his elements: he told something to Babar about his guard – it is not clear exactly what – while pointing at the stumps.
Babar reacted to Smith’s antics and offered his bat to him, seemingly sarcastically. Smith comically refused it by folding his hands at Babar.
After resuming his innings on 35 in the final session, Babar could only add six more runs to his tally before Josh Hazlewood cleaned him up for a 79-ball 41. Mohammad Rizwan (35) and Salman Ali Agha (50) put up a fight to get Pakistan closer to the target but fell short in the end as Pat Cummins picked 5-49, handing them a 79-run loss.
Watch Babar Azam offer Steve Smith his bat in a humorous exchange
Incredible banter!
Look at how Babar asks Smith only to bat, when he is getting ready to take guard and Smith goes 🙏
😂 😂 😂#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/SYnsDFP7ao
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 29, 2023