Babar Azam's Missed Chance: Joe Root's Journey to Double Century in Multan Test

Babar Azam's Critical Miss in Multan Test

NEW DELHI: Joe Root's masterful double century on the fourth day of the opening Test against Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium showcased his brilliance and resilience. Resuming on 176, Root took advantage of a missed opportunity early in the day when Pakistan’s Babar Azam dropped a straightforward catch at mid-wicket.

Inside the Match

• In the fourth over of the day, Root played a pull shot off a short-of-length delivery from Naseem Shah.
• The ball went straight to Babar, who inexplicably fumbled and dropped the ball, giving Root a life when he was on 186.
• This miss left Naseem Shah visibly frustrated, highlighting the cost of dropped catches in Test cricket.

Babar's dropped catch proved expensive for Pakistan, as Root soon completed his double century off 305 balls - a crucial milestone in England’s innings.

• Root's innings was characterized by patience and precision, hitting only 14 boundaries to reach his landmark.
• This achievement places him alongside legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Younis Khan, who also have six Test double centuries.

Root’s celebration was filled with emotion as he kissed the badge on his helmet and raised his bat to the crowd. His innings not only added crucial runs to England's total but also demonstrated how a single lapse in the field can prove costly in the long format. Despite Babar’s drop, Root’s composed and clinical approach was the key highlight of the day.