Cummins shed light on his course of action to eliminate Babar Azam


Australian captain Pat Cummins has disclosed the strategies behind his 'fantasy ball' that prompted the excusal of Pakistan's highest-level hitter, Babar Azam, during day two of the Melbourne Test.

By stumps, Pakistan was in a difficult situation at 194-6, following Australia by 124 runs. Mohammad Rizwan, holding firm with 29 runs, and Aamer Jamal, unbeaten on two, went up against the overwhelming undertaking of steadying their group's innings.

During the post-match question and answer session, Cummins shed light on his blueprint to excuse Babar.

"It's a fantasy ball - that is the very thing you attempt and bowl most balls, however, it's interesting that it falls off. Truly content with that one," Cummins said.

"That was certainly not a purposeful ball to crease in. That is 50-50, whether it will crease in or out. I attempt and make somewhat of a point, and on the off chance that I don't have the foggiest idea what it's doing, ideally, the hitter doesn't know by the same token. Swing is a touch more unsurprising - the hitter sees it a piece prior and the edges are a piece more modest. I attempt and swing the odd one yet it's uncommon - more often than not, I'm attempting to get a touch of the crease off the wicket," he added.

Keep in mind, Babar isn't having an extraordinary year, especially in red-ball cricket as he has now gone eight innings without scoring a Test fifty out of 2023.

It occurred interestingly since his presentation that Azam neglected to sack a solitary 50 years in a scheduled year. He will have another opportunity to convey for his side this year.

Pakistan played a sum of five Test matches this year, one of which is as yet in progress. Their most memorable red-ball experience of this current year was against New Zealand which wound up in a draw.

Azam was Pakistan's captain during that time and he figured out how to score 24 and 27 across two innings.

In July 2023, Pakistan ventured out to Sri Lanka to play a two-match series which they won, however, Azam kept on fizzling with the bat.

He scored 13 and 24 in the main Test, in the meantime, during the subsequent Test, Pakistan just played one innings in which Babar contributed 39 runs.

During the ongoing visit through Australia, Babar, indeed, neglected to convey for his side as during the primary Test, he amassed 21 and 14 runs.