AUS vs PAK: [WATCH] Josh Hazzlewood Stuns Babar Azam With A Quick Dismissal

When two titans of the sport meet on the grand stage, the outcome often hinges on the tiniest of vulnerabilities. On a crucial Friday, Babar Azam seemed poised to steer Pakistan to victory. Yet, a masterful delivery from Josh Hazlewood mirrored his earlier dismissal, turning the tides.

The Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground witnessed Australia’s gradual dominance, especially on Day 4, as they tightened their grip, impeding Pakistan’s pursuit of 318 runs. With the target looming large and only three specialized batsmen left, Pakistan’s hopes for their maiden Test victory in Australia since 1995 dwindled.

Nevertheless, a glimmer of hope emerged when Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel showcased a promising partnership, surpassing the thirty-run milestone. Azam, the former Pakistan captain, seemed to have found his rhythm, displaying resilience against Australia’s formidable bowling attack, confidently surpassing the 40-run mark. However, Hazlewood emerged as a persistent thorn, consistently troubling Azam with deceptive deliveries that induced edges and instilled doubt.

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HAZELWOOD CLEAN UP BABAR 🔥😂#AUSvsPAK #hazelwood pic.twitter.com/djWH5FmFia

— Mitchell starc (@Mistarc56) December 29, 2023

 

It was in the 41st over, with Azam poised at 41, that Hazlewood’s cunning strategy bore fruit. Delivering a well-pitched ball that swerved subtly in the air before sharply deviating off the pitch, Hazlewood breached Azam’s defense, leaving a discernible gap between bat and pad, ultimately shattering the stumps. Intriguingly, this wasn’t the first time Azam had succumbed to such a delivery. Earlier, Cummins had also exploited this vulnerability, labeling his delivery as a ‘dream ball’. Observers, especially on platforms like Twitter, were swift to draw parallels, emphasizing Azam’s recurring technique flaw.

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