Twitter Reactions: Babar Azam's ton ensures Pakistan an easy win against West Indies

Pakistan took on hosts West Indies in Providence in a must-win 2nd ODI on Sunday. Following a gem of an innings by Jason Mohammed and some assistance from Ashely Nurse, the Windies had clinched a thriller in the first one-dayer. However, Pakistan had some different ideas this time around and spoilt the early party for the hosts. They defeated the West Indies comfortably by 74 runs, thus setting up a decider on Tuesday.

Put into bat by the home team, Pakistan lost in-form Ahmed Shehzad early on. Kamran Akmal was the next batsman to fall as the scorecard read 44-2 at the end of 9 overs. Hafeez and Babar Azam steadied the ship for the visitors before the former was dismissed for 32. As the game progressed, Pakistan were unable to put together vital partnerships. They found themselves in a spot of bother at 183-5, with only 11 overs remaining in the innings. Fortunately for Paksitan, Babar Azam was still at the crease.

Enter Imad Wasim, and Azam found a partner who stuck around. The duo put on a 99 run partnership in a mere 69 deliveries. Pakistan had well and truly recovered, and ended the innings with 282 on the board. It was another display of class by Babar Azam, who reached his 5th ODI hundred, four of which have come against the West Indies. His unbeaten 125 along with Imad Wasim’s 35-ball 43 meant that Pakistan had a strong total to defend.

The Windies openers Evin Lewis and Chadwick Walton didn’t last long, as they were both sent back to the dressing room in quick succession. Wickets fell at regular intervals for the hosts. There was no show of heroics from Jason Mohammed this time around, as he was removed for 1. Ashely Nurse and Jason Holder were able to pull things back slightly, but it was only a matter of time before the Pakistan bowlers ran through their tail. Hasan Ali’s five-for ensured Pakistan an easy victory as they bundled out the West Indies for 208.

With the visitors’ 74 run victory, the series is now squared at 1-1. Both teams will clash one last time on April 11 in a virtual final of the 3 match ODI series.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Pakistan’s emphatic win over the West Indies in the 2nd ODI:

Anyone still still in doubt that babar should bat at 3? Fab innings and great to see him bat through #WIVPAK

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) April 9, 2017

Pakistan batting 1st ODI – 141 dot balls
Pakistan batting 2nd ODI – 144 dot balls
Total dot balls 285 (47.3 overs)#Cricket #WIvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 9, 2017

Fazeer Mohammed "Sarfraz Ahmed looks agitated & panics when he doesn't need to. It sends the wrong message to his players" #Cricket #WIvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 9, 2017

5-38 for the impressive Hasan Ali. These are his best figures in ODIs #Cricket #WIvPAK pic.twitter.com/vXYPYBR8el

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 9, 2017

Babar Azam is averaging above 95 batting at No. 3 in ODIs. #WIvPAK pic.twitter.com/hYIxDx0Ad9

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) April 10, 2017

Man of the match awards for Pakistan in the current series. Youngsters leading the way:
Shadab Khan (2)
Hasan Ali (1)
Babar Azam (1)#WIvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 10, 2017

Before Hasan Ali the last Pakistan Fast Bowler to take two 5-wkt hauls in an ODI calendar year was Shoaib Akhtar – way back in 2002! #WIvPak

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) April 9, 2017

Hasan Ali is first Pakistani fast bowler in 15 years to take 5-fer twice or more in a calendar year twice,last was S Akhtar in 2002. #WIvPAK pic.twitter.com/BqxQKLQn9Q

— Zohaib Ahmed17? (@Iamzuhaib7) April 10, 2017

Hasan Ali is the only bowler to take two five wickets haul in year 2017. #WIvPAK #Pakistan #Cricket pic.twitter.com/q2ArLZdXmo

— Rai Nouman Riaz (@RaiNoumanRiaz) April 10, 2017

Most runs after first 25 ODI innings:
Babar – 1306
Trott – 1280
Sir Viv – 1211
KP – 1189
de Kock – 1181 #Cricket #WIvPAK #Pakistan

— Muhammad Naseem (@MNaseemOfficial) April 10, 2017

1306 runs by Babar Azam in ODI matches, the most by anyone after 25 innings in ODI history. #WIvPAK

— faisal munir (@faailzz) April 10, 2017

Good straight hitting from Babar and Imad .. that's safe and long…been waiting for this for a long time.

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) April 9, 2017

Hassan Ali's five wicket haul, Babar Azam's 5th hundred, a new record for him in 25 ODIs (1306 aggregate), Imad in the runs, well done boys.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) April 9, 2017

Babar Azam took 25 ODI innings to reach 5 centuries mark. pic.twitter.com/hqspiT5P29

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) April 9, 2017

Babar Azam became the 2nd fastest to score 5 centuries in ODIs

Hasan Ali's 2nd 5-for in a year, only the 3rd Pakistani to do so since 2002 pic.twitter.com/3lDdFL6BZO

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) April 10, 2017

So its no. 3 for Babar Azam, good the team mngmt realised it soon that they should stop accommodating senior players & suffer the juniors.

— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) April 10, 2017

Congratulations Pak team – played like a team – great fight back – brilliant effort @babarazam258 Hassan Ali and @simadwasim #PAKvWI

— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) April 9, 2017