KARACHI: Legendary South African batter Hashim Amla offered a piece of advice to Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam amid his rough patch across formats.
Babar, who ended the ongoing two-match Test series against South Africa without scoring a half-century since his 161-run knock against New Zealand in December 2022, failed to reclaim his lost form as he got dismissed after scoring a mere four in the first innings.
The right-handed batter then finally ended his half-century drought in the second innings of the match by playing a 50-run knock, crucial in leading Pakistan to a formidable total.
Despite his drought-ending half-century, the right-handed batter seems out of touch to legendary South African batter Hashim Amla, who advised Babar Azam to go back to his ‘trusty coach’ to overcome the lean patch.
“When you first start getting runs under your belt, batting seams easy, you don’t think about your batting. But once you go through the testing times, the way to get out of it is to go back to your trusty coach,” Amla advised.
It is pertinent to mention that, Pakistan accumulated 237 in the second innings to set South Africa a fighting target of 148.
Leading the way for the green shirts in the second innings were Saud and ace batter Babar Azam as both scored half-centuries.
Meanwhile, by the end of the rain-hit third day of the opening Test, South Africa had amassed 27/3 with Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma at the crease.
Leading Pakistan’s charge with the ball was Mohammad Abbas, who has taken two wickets in the final innings thus far, while Khurram Shahzad chipped in with one.
- Hashim Amla
- Babar Azam