WATCH: Babar Azam’s bizarre act to ‘keep himself in game at non-striker’s end’ during Pakistan’s practice match in Australia 

Babar Azam is gearing up for a new chapter in his international cricket career as Pakistan set to take on Australia in a three-match Test series. The 29-year-old will don the white jersey as a pure batter after relinquishing captaincy responsibilities in all three formats of the game. Pakistan under Babar had a torrid campaign in the recently concluded 2023 ODI World Cup, forcing the star cricketer to step down as captain.

The right-hander also failed to play any remarkable innings in the tournament. However, he aims to fill all grievances in the upcoming red-ball series, which is part of the 2023-35 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. As things stand, in a surprising turn of events, Babar has become a source of humour for his odd act while at the non-striker’s end during Pakistan’s warm-up match.

The Men in Green are currently up against the Prime Minister’s XI for their only practice match ahead of the crucial series in Australia. The Shan Masood-led side won the toss and elected to bat first in Canberra on Wednesday. In the 37th over, the PAK skipper hit the ball down the ground, bowled by Beau Webster. As the ball went past the non-striker Babar, he tried to collect it with his hands but the shot was just wide of him.

Seeing Babar’s ‘brain fade moment’, Cricket Australia couldn’t contain their laughter and decided to make fun of him. The video shared by cricket.com.au on X with the caption, “Babar Azam keeping himself in the game at the non-striker’s end…. “, soon went viral on social media with fans coming up with hilarious reactions.

Watch the video below: 

Pakistan vs Australia Test series: Schedule

1st Test: From Thursday, December 14 at the Perth Stadium at 7:50 am IST

2nd Test: From Tuesday, December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at 5:00 am IST

3rd Test: From January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground at 5:00 am IST

Pakistan Squad for Australia Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi