The partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam lasted for 520 balls
16 March, 2022
PHOTO COURTESY: PCB
The second Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy between Pakistan and Australia is underway in Karachi, As all three results are possible at the start of the final day.
Pakistan were earlier bowled out for 148 runs in the first innings in response to Australia's 556. The visiting team did not enforce the follow-on despite a massive 408 run lead.
Pakistan was given an impossible target of 506 with 172 overs to play. The hosts lost two quick wickets and were looking vulnerable when Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam came to the rescue and batted out the majority of the Day Four, giving hope to Pakistan to save the Test.
The duo started Day Five with an unbeaten overnight partnership of 171* and batted for 19 more overs in the first session before Shafique was caught in the slip by Steve Smith for 96 of skipper Pat Cummins.
The partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam lasted for 520 balls which is a new record for the longest partnership for any wicket in the fourth innings (balls faced)
Previously, Deep Dasgupta and Rahul Dravid held the record (500 balls) against South Africa at Port Elizabeth in 2001.
Abdullah Shafique, who got his maiden century in the previous Test, has been impressive since his debut against Bangladesh in November 2021. The opening batsman has scored three half-centuries and one century in six innings of his Test career with an average of 85.2.
Shafique's fighting knock of 96 in the Karachi Test has included another feather to his cap. He is now fourth on the list of Pakistani batters to face most balls in the fourth innings of a Test.
Most balls faced by Pakistani batter in fourth innings of a Test
