'It can’t rain forever' – Mohammad Yousuf backs Babar Azam to turn things around after dismal show in Australia

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf has come out in support of Babar Azam amid his struggles in the ongoing Test series against Australia. Yousuf is encouraging Babar to bounce back stronger in his remaining innings in the ongoing second Test match.

Yousuf's comments follow Babar's recent dismissal for just one run off seven balls, falling victim to Australia captain Pat Cummins on Day 2 of Pakistan's first innings at the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Cummins had previously dismissed the former Pakistan captain in the second innings of the opening Test in Perth. Notably, Babar managed scores of only 21 and 14 in his two innings during the first Test, which resulted in a 360-run victory for the hosts, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

"Be strong now because things will get better,it might be stormy now, but it can't rain forever," Yousuf wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

See Mohammad Yousuf's post:

Be strong now because things will get better,it might be stormy now, but it can't rain forever. pic.twitter.com/zGjYWV1jNJ

— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) December 27, 2023

Pakistan are 194/6 at stumps on Day 2 in second Test

In the second Test, Pakistan's captain, Shan Masood, won the toss and opted to field first. Australia's innings concluded at 318 during the lunch session on day 2, with Marnus Labuschagne contributing a composed 63 runs off 155 balls. In contrast, Mitchell Marsh took an aggressive approach, smashing 41 off 60 deliveries. Earlier, David Warner added 38 runs in a 90-run opening partnership with Usman Khawaja, who had scored 42 runs. Aamer Jamal claimed a three-wicket haul for Pakistan, while Shaheen Afridi, Mir Hamza, and Hasan Ali took two wickets each.

In Pakistan's first innings, Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood both reached half-centuries. At the end of Day 2 stumps, the visiting side were at 194/6 in 55 overs, trailing by 124 runs, with Mohammad Rizwan (29*) and Aamer Jamal (2*) at the crease. Pat Cummins proved effective for the hosts, securing a three-wicket haul.