In a tense moment during the third ODI between Pakistan and Australia in Perth, Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi dislocated his thumb while fielding, leaving fans and teammates concerned. The unexpected hero, however, was skipper Babar Azam, who immediately stepped in to help by pulling Shaheen’s thumb back into place, an act that quickly went viral on social media.
The Incident That Shook Fans
In the 26th over, Australia’s Sean Abbott struck the ball towards midwicket, and in an attempt to field the throw, Shaheen was hit on his left thumb. The bowler grimaced in pain, and while the physios made their way to the field, Babar Azam rushed over and adjusted Shaheen’s thumb himself. The crowd watched in awe as Babar’s quick intervention appeared to ease the pain, demonstrating his strong sense of camaraderie.
Internet Reacts to Babar’s Unusual Move
The moment, captured on video, quickly spread across the internet. Fans and commentators were surprised and impressed by Babar’s unorthodox yet caring response, with many appreciating his leadership and support for his teammates. Social media buzzed with reactions, applauding Babar’s decisive actions.
Australia Stumbles Against Pakistan’s Bowling Attack
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s bowling prowess continued to shine as Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah each claimed three wickets, dismissing Australia for a mere 140 runs. Pakistan, eyeing their first ODI series win in Australia since 2002, capitalized on the absence of key Australian players such as Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc, who were rested ahead of the upcoming Test series against India.
A Struggling Australian Side
Australia’s lineup, missing several of its star players, struggled against Pakistan’s high-quality pace attack. Sean Abbott led the scoring with 30 runs, but Australia’s batting faltered, with standout contributions from Afridi, Shah, and Haris Rauf. Rauf, fresh off a stellar 5-wicket haul in Adelaide, continued to dominate by dismissing key players like Glenn Maxwell, ultimately setting a modest target for Pakistan.
Pakistan on the Verge of Historic Series Win
With the series tied 1-1, Pakistan has a strong chance of securing a historic win on Australian soil. The disciplined performance by Pakistan’s bowlers, combined with Babar Azam’s leadership, has put them in an ideal position to clinch the series and make history.
