[Watch] Marnus Labuschagne’s direct-hit to catch Babar Azam short of his crease

[Watch] Marnus Labuschagne’s direct-hit to catch Babar Azam short of his crease

As Australia toured Pakistan nearly after 24 years, it made the series very special. The visiting team was not quite happy with the hosts as they stood strong. But Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne did a wonderful job with his fielding during Pakistan’s first innings in Rawalpindi on March 5.

Babar Azam won the toss and chose to bat first, which proved effective as his team scored a truckload of runs against Australia. First Imam-ul-Haq’s 157 runs off 358 that included a couple of sixes and 16 boundaries. He had an impressive 105 runs partnership first with Abdullah Shafiq and 208 partnership with Azhar Ali, which was ended by skipper Pat Cummins as he sent Imam to the pavilion after a leg before the wicket.

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Marnus Labuschagne’s rocket-throw sent Babar Azam back to the pavilion

Marnus Labuschagne

Along with the next batsman Babar Azam, the two carried on adding runs to the scoreboard and added 36 runs. When it looked as if Babar would also score big, a run out by Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne sent him back to the pavilion.
In the 148th over, experienced Nathan Lyon came to bowl and on his very first delivery, Babar played short on the side, hit the ball towards the leg side and tried stealing a run. Agile fielder Labuschagne, who was standing at the mid-wicket region, quickly ran to catch the ball, grabbed it and rocket-throw at the non-striker’s end. Nathan Lyon didn’t need to catch the ball as it hit the stumps before Babar could reach the crease.

Azhar missed his double century while trying to play a reverse shot and gave a catch to Cameron Green. In the end, Imam’s 157 and Azhar’s 185 added a massive 476 runs and declared the match by losing only four wickets. Australia only scored 5 runs on the second day.

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