Twitter Reactions: Babar Azam’s half-century keeps Pakistan in hunt against West Indies

The ongoing first Test match between Pakistan and West Indies is somewhat poised after the end of Day 3. At stumps on the second day, Pakistan were 160/5, earning a lead of 124 runs at the Sabina Park in Kingston. While the Caribbean team might look in a better position at the moment, they have to bat last on a constantly –deteriorating surface. Hence, it would be interesting to see how the remaining game unfolds.

As far as the happenings of Day are concerned, West Indies couldn’t add much to their overnight score of 251/8 and got skittled out for 253. Nevertheless, they got a handy first-innings lead of 34 runs. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, registering a four-wicket haul. At the same time, Mohammad Abbas got three scalps under his kitty.

Pakistan, who scored 217 while batting first, had a great chance to redeem themselves. However, they got off to a terrible start yet again opener Imran Butt bagging an 11-ball duck. Abid Ali (34) and Azhar Ali (23) tried stabilizing Pakistan innings but neither of them could convert their start into a big score.

Babar Azam scores fighting half-century

The visitors got dented even further with Fawad Alam bagging a duck. Nevertheless, skipper Babar Azam joined forces with his deputy Mohammad Rizwan and the duo added 56 runs for the fifth wicket. However, the momentum again tilted towards West Indies’ favour with Rizwan falling prey to Jason Holder for 30.

Azam, nevertheless, didn’t put his guards down and scored a well-compiled fifty. He remained unbeaten till the end of the day’s play alongside Faheem Ashraf. The duo has so far 39 runs and will like to take Pakistan towards a substantial score. However, their going won’t be easy as West Indies pacers have been breathing fire.

So far, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales have scalped two wickets apiece in this innings while Jason Holder dismissed one batter. With the Sabina Park track assisting the fast bowlers, any target beyond 200 won’t be easy to chase. Hence, the home team must look to take the remaining wickets as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, here’s how Twitterati reacted to the happenings of Day 3

Babar Azam's fifty gives Pakistan a lead of 124 runs at the end of Day 3.#WIvPAK #Pakistan #WestIndies #Cricket #babarazam #KPLT20 #PakistanZindabad @babarazam258 @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/XBRDrVp5k4

— Hasan Farid Joyia (@HasanFaridJoyia) August 15, 2021

Ian Bishop "This man [Babar Azam] is world class on your screen right now, in case you just came out from a foreign planet and dropped onto earth and you didn't know anything about him" ✅👌
#WIvPAK #Cricket #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/5YFA1NIgMn

— ᴡᴀqᴀʀ yᴏᴜɴᴀꜱ (Free Kashmir) (@WaqarYo88471863) August 15, 2021

@babarazam258 54*, captain's inns when team needed it. Worth staying awake to watch the King. #KingBabar👑 #Cricket #WIvPAK #RedForRuth #MSAalam https://t.co/jVmobvAYAN

— Muhd Shere Aalam (@MSAalamOfficial) August 15, 2021

Babar Azam leading from the front with the bat, conceding a lead of 36 then Pakistan was 65 for 4 in the second innings and Babar batting on unbeaten 54 runs from 139 balls including 7 fours helped to get a lead of 124 runs with 5 wickets in hand. #WIvPAK #Babarazam

— Bibekananda Sahu (@IamBibeka) August 15, 2021

Just like Root did, Babar needs to stand up for his team. He's the only hope if Pakistan needs to win this test match. #WIvPAK #PAKvWI

— Yashar Khan (@ayasharkhan) August 15, 2021

Babar Azam leading from the front with the bat, conceding a lead of 36 then Pakistan was 65 for 4 in the second innings and Babar batting on unbeaten 54 runs from 139 balls including 7 fours helped to get a lead of 124 runs with 5 wickets in hand. #WIvPAK pic.twitter.com/0UH8rpIrSA

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 15, 2021

Probably the best chance for @babarazam258 and Faheem ashraf. Hope for the best, waiting to see an innings like Joe root .#WIvPAK

— Salman Manzoor (@SalmanDar32) August 15, 2021

3 days up and we still can’t say for sure which way its gonna go… been a really good game thus far. Good comp between bat/ball. Just what I love to see. #WIvPAK

— 𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙝 🇵🇰 (@Earthian07) August 14, 2021

Lead of 124 at the end of day 3
Another 80-100 runs on day 4 and we will be in a good position#WIvPAK #WIvsPAK #PAKvWI #PakvsWI #Cricket #TestCricket

— Muhammad Bilal (@itsmbilal) August 14, 2021