Babar Azam is set to play in ENG vs PAK 2nd Test | PC- AFP
Former England seamer Stuart Broad has made another harsh statement about Pakistan, this time targeting the visiting captain, Babar Azam.
The Pakistan Test captain had to miss participating in the ENG vs PAK 1st Test at Headingley due to an unfortunate right-hand finger injury, which he sustained during the practice match against County Club Select XI.
As Babar missed the first Test and Salman Ali Agha led in his absence, Pakistan were annihilated by the home team, who won fair and square by an innings and 103 runs, inside two and a half days.
Babar Azam receives a 250-run challenge from Stuart Broad
Ahead of the ENG vs PAK 2nd Test at Lord’s, Stuart Broad has mocked Pakistan again. According to the former England seamer, Babar Azam would have to score at least 250 runs in the next match for Pakistan to threaten the home side.
“Pakistan will need a big change of luck to threaten England in the second test. Babar Azam could get 250... when you've got those sort of players in there. And that's what they'll have to hope for,” Stuart Broad said on the ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast.
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Babar may have been Pakistan's best batter and delivered a Player of the Series performance in the West Indies, but he himself is going through a rough patch in the longest format.
The stylish batter hasn't notched a Test hundred since December 2022. Thus, Babar scoring a 250 at Lord's would be a far-fetched thought.
Pakistan’s poor run sparks heated exchange between Stuart Broad, Salman Butt
In the build-up to the series, Stuart Broad made a harsh statement on Pakistan, calling them a poor team.
Although his words came true at Headingley, it didn’t please some former Pakistan cricketers, including Salman Butt, who was uncomfortable with Broad’s assessment.
After Pakistan’s brutal defeat in the first match, the English media deemed the visiting team to be the worst Pakistan side in the last 50 years to visit England.
When asked about the same, the stand-in captain, Salman Ali Agha, shared his opinion, stating that it is never easy to play in England for any Asian side, but they will surely turn things around in the next Test.
That said, England has been a nice hunting ground for Pakistan in recent years, as they have drawn the series twice in their last three attempts.
Pakistan's lacklustre performance at Headingley Test
Nevertheless, as Pakistan were bowled out for 171 & 135 runs at Headingley, the pedigree of Pakistan's batting was questioned across the cricketing fraternity.
Apart from Abdullah Shafique, who scored a fighting 61 in the first innings, no other visiting batter could even score a half-century across both innings as the English quicks, especially Ollie Robinson, ran riot against them.
Not just the batters; Pakistan's bowlers were poor, to say the least, as England were able to put 409 runs on the board. Khurram Shahzad, who went for over six runs per over after 21.5 overs, and Mohammad Ali were both underwhelming with the ball.
For a turnaround in the second ENG vs PAK Test match, Pakistan would need to make bold calls both before and during the proceedings. They would need not only to make changes to their starting XI but also to step up and put up a stronger fight as a unit.
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