"Drama Karega" to Massive Asian Record in the WTC: Pakistan's Babar Azam has seen it all on his return to Test cricket

Babar Azam had a roller-coaster day out during his comeback to International cricket with the first Test between South Africa and Pakistan. A major controversy was built surrounding Babar Azam after he reached a monumental milestone in WTC history. 

In the match, opener Imam-ul-Haq missed out on his comeback Test century, as he played a fluent knock of 93 in the First Test match. Captain Shan Masood made 76 and gave Pakistan a strong start to its new World Test Championship cycle with a breathtaking partnership of 161 runs. 

After a brief collapse, Mohammad Rizwan (62*) and Salman Agha (52*) struck half-centuries each against the defending champions. Rizwan, unlike Babar, had escaped two narrow dismissals when skipper Aiden Markram missed a low catch, and then one decision was overturned through referral. 

Ramiz Raja's offensive remark on Babar Azam 

Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium rose in applause even after their best batter and Captain, Shan Masood, was dismissed, since it led to the arrival of Babar Azam. However, the fans' joy was short-lived, as he fell soon after tea for 23. 

However, the day could have been further worse, having survived a caught-behind appeal with just three balls into the innings. The on-field umpire's decision was overturned by the third umpire on referral. 

Just then, former PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja's remarks from the Commentators' box had sparked immense controversy, as he said, "Ye out hoga to drama karega (If he is given out here, he will create drama)." 

The former Chairman has been receiving backlash over his remarks on the veteran Pakistani batter. 

Not Virat Kohli but Babar Azam turns out to be the first Asian batter to massive WTC record 

Pakistani batter Babar Azam has been compared with Indian legend Virat Kohli throughout his career. The batter reached a massive milestone this Sunday as he entered his name in the history books for his WTC record. 

He became the first cricketer from Asia to score 3000 runs in the history of the ICC World Test Championship. He joined the 3000-run club as he achieved it by hitting a four off Sethuran Muthusamy. 

Before Babar, no other Asian batter had reached the record, while four Australians, namely Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, and three more Englishmen—Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley had managed to go past the 3000 run mark. 

Among Asian batters, Babar is followed by Shubman Gill (2826), Rishabh Pant (2731), and Rohit Sharma (2716) on the WTC runs tally. 

Shan Masood named the Indian Captain in the middle of the IND vs WI Test in shocking blunder 

While speaking about Pakistan's legendary batter Babar Azam, Shaun Pollock mistakenly referred to the Pakistan skipper Shan Masood as the 'Captain of India.' The excitement reached its peak at times, and even Shaun Pollock found himself in the middle of the euphoria. 

The crowd erupted in huge chants of 'Babar, Babar' once the Pakistani skipper was dismissed in the 48th over of the game. However, what shocked the former South African was that even before Masood's wicket actually fell, the Pakistan fans erupted every time appeals were made by South Africa. 

However, while portraying his shock, he messed up, calling the Pakistan skipper out as the Indian skipper. “I can't believe they would want Shan Masood, the captain of India, to be out just to get Babar to the crease. Think we need to have a word with these supporters,” said Pollock on air.

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