Pakistan’s opening batter Abdullah Shafique defended star batter Babar Azam, who got out after only one run in the first innings against Australia on the second day of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Wednesday.

Babar Azam was castled by Australian skipper Pat Cummins during the second Test after getting him out for 14 in the second innings of the first Test in Perth.

Babar Azam returned with scores of 21 and 14 during the Perth Test indicating his struggling form.

Abdullah Shafique however showed faith in Azam during the post-match press conference, hoping that he will certainly make a comeback.

“Babar Azam is our best batter, and the type of form we see him displaying in the nets indicates he is in a good rhythm,” said Abdullah Shafique.

“We expect to see him scoring runs. Of course, he didn’t perform in this innings, but hopefully, he’ll deliver and turn it around in the coming innings.”

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“Everyone is trying their best and putting in 100% effort. We are prepared on our end, but unfortunately, sometimes you don’t deliver on the day. It happens. Test cricket is not that easy,” he further added.

Shafique also heaps high praise on Pat Cummins, who led the bowling for Australia on the second day with bowling figures of 3-37.

“I think the type of bowler Pat Cummins is, he extracts something out of the pitch every time he bowls.”

Abdullah Shafique top scored for Pakistan during the first innings of the Boxing Day Test with a solid knock of 62 runs Australia made a comeback and reduced Pakistan to 194-6 at the stumps of the second day.

Pakistan will resume their innings on the third day with Mohammad Rizwan (29) and Aamir Jamal (2) on the crease, while Australia is leading by 124 runs.

READ: Australia in command as Pakistan lose six wickets on second day of Boxing Day Test