Mar 17, 2022: The second test match between Pakistan and Australia at National Stadium in Karachi finally ended with the hosts securing a draw, thanks to their skipper Babar Azam’s breathtaking knock.

In the first innings, Pakistan managed just 148 runs in response to Australia’s 556/6d, which featured a scintillating knock by Usman Khwaja. The visitors didn’t proceed with the follow-on and declared their second innings at 97/2, setting up a massive target of 506 runs.

In reply, the hosts almost did the impossible and managed to reach 443/7 in the fourth innings before the end of final day’s play. Babar and young Abdullah Shafique played the anchor role to form a 228-run stand in 524 balls to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive.

After Shafique missed the three-figure mark by four runs, vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan stepped up and further frustrated the tourists. Rizwan reached his hundred and remained unbeaten on 104 before the officials announced the stumps on Day 5.

Five action-packed days gave us plenty of moments to celebrate and learn from. Two proud captains led their teams from the front and the crowd was here for it! #BoysReadyHain l #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/wz99jx70Ok

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 16, 2022

A special knock by a special player.
196 by @babarazam258 . pic.twitter.com/FtkAZ31Zt3

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 16, 2022

Babar Azam’s match saving and record smashing knock of 196 against Australia in the fourth innings of the second Test in Karachi helped him garner plaudits from local media personalities and cricket experts.

At the forefront is former England skipper and a well-known commentator Michael Vaughan has praised Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, after he played a marathon 196-run inning off 425 balls in the 2nd Test against Australia.

Vaughan believes Babar is ”brilliant across all formats.”

Without question I think @babarazam258 is the best all round Batter in the World right now .. Brilliant across all the formats .. #PAKvAUS ..

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 16, 2022

Meanwhile, Babar also earned praise from the highest quarters when West Indies batting legend Sir Vivian Richards applauded both Babar and Mohammad Rizwan’s performance, calling them “exceptional talents”.

He further said the world was “blessed to witness such players in the middle”.

What an exceptional display of talent by these two. World cricket is blessed to witness such players in the middle.

Well done @babarazam258 @iMRizwanPak 🙌 https://t.co/mQKUoPq3AG

— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) March 16, 2022

Australian journalist Andrew Wu tweeted saying, “Extraordinary effort by Babar Azam to save the Test for Pakistan. Changed the game by looking to score day four rather than letting Australia dictate,”

The impressive performance also attracted praise from across the border with Indian journalits effusive in their admiration.

The trigger moment for Babar Azam. Missed a 200 but saved Pakistan the Test. And this knock will pitch fork him to be counted as one of the modern-day greats #PAKvAUS @babarazam258

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) March 16, 2022

Test cricket was where Babar Azam needed to take a step up and here it is. 480 to get and 170 overs to bat when he walked in. Hope of a miraculous win might have flickered but even a draw is a great result. What a player.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 16, 2022

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