Marnus Labuschagne appreciates Babar Azam’s knock in the second ODI against Australia, saying he learned from Pakistan’s skipper masterclass while he scored his 15th ODI century in 83 innings, which is the fastest by any batsman.
Australia’s star batsmen Marnus Labuschagne appreciates Babar Azam’s outstanding knock against Australia, saying he learned from Pakistan’s skipper masterclass in the second One-Day international on Thursday.
Babar coordinates Pakistan’s chase down of 349 with a masterly 114 of 83 balls, denying Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The skipper supported by fellow centurion Imam-ul-Haq, scored his 15th ODI century in 83 innings, which is the fastest by any batsman.
“I enjoyed every minute of watching – it was a pity it was against us,”
Labuschagne told reporters after their six-wicket defeat in Lahore.
“That was a very good inning. I sat back and I took some things on board for my own game to learn from that innings.
“To score 100 off 73 balls, he barely put a foot wrong. It was just phenomenal.”
Labuschagne also praised Imam as well but felt dismissing Babar early in Saturday’s decider, also in Lahore, was crucial to secure the series.
“I think if we can find a way to get him out early, put a bit more pressure on the middle to lower order, we have a chance,”
the 27-year-old said.
“He batted us out of the game and fair play to him. It was a tremendous inning.”
“I think we have to think maybe a little bit more outside the box,”
said Labuschagne.
“I think he’s played beautifully.
“You know, he hasn’t put a foot wrong. and he’s the type of player that doesn’t give you many opportunities to get him out.
“Look – it is one for us to have a look at, obviously there’s not much bounce and pace out on these wickets.
“In Australia where you’d go short ball and try and get it high and get a catch, maybe at square leg or fine leg, you don’t have that luxury over here, you’ve kind of got to keep going at the stumps.
“There was a little bit of reverse swing, but he’s a very good player. He’s in the top ten One-Day players in the world at the moment and he’s clearly showing that.
“So we’ve got to go to the chalkboard and come up with some ideas but it’s always nice when it’s coming into a series decider in the last game.”
Ben Mcdermott hits his maiden ODI century against Pakistan in the second game of the series and Labuschagne, who made 59, was thrilled to be at the non-striker’s end when his childhood friend brought up his hundred.
“I and Ben go back to under 11s, under 12s, playing together,”
said Labuschagne.
“We were best mates growing up in Australia. He was over at my house almost every second day, coming on the train home and we used to (play) in my backyard,”
Labuschagne said.
“The hard work that he’s putting in domestic cricket in the Big Bash and his four-day game as well has just come such a long way, and I was I was over the moon for him today.”
