Watch: Mohammed Siraj castles Babar Azam in high-voltage IND vs PAK CWC 2023 clash

Mohammed Siraj sent back Babar Azam to the pavilion after Pakistan skipper scored 50 runs in Ahmedabad.

Mohammed Siraj has proved to be a crisis manager for team India at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Siraj struck twice in the innings when the Pakistanis were going strong in a partnership. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam (50) and wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan were going great in Ahmedabad and they were building pressure on Indian bowlers by rotation of strike as well as boundaries on several occasions. 

Mohammed Siraj with his efforts broke two partnerships in Pakistan innings. He dismissed Abdullah Shafique (20) after a 41-run stand with Imam-ul-Haq and now castled Pakistan skipper Babar Azam (50). Azam had an 82-run stand along with Mohammad Rizwan. Right after Babar completed his half-century, Siraj rattled the bails to dismiss him when Pakistan were at 155. Mohammed Siraj bounced back nicely in the game as he got smashed for three boundaries in his first over. 

Siraj dismissed Babar Azam

The Pakistan captain was looking comfortable facing pace bowlers. He was looking to play a dab against Mohammed Siraj’s good length delivery. As the ball skidded through after pitching, Babar failed to read the line of the ball and it went crashing Pakistan skipper’s off-stump. Siraj was on target with his magnificent line against Pakistani batters. Babar Azam was dismissed after scoring 50 runs in 58 balls with 7 boundaries. 

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Babar Azam’s wicket opened the floodgate as India picked three wickets in quick succession. Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Saud Shakeel (6) and Iftikhar Ahmed (4) cheaply while Jasprit Bumrah sent in-form Mohammad Rizwan (49) back just one run short of his half-century and also dismissed Shadab Khan (2) clean bowled. Babar’s wicket paved the way for India and they came back nicely in the innings. 

Pakistan’s middle-order had a dismal day with the bat against Indian bowlers and put their team in a crisis once again. Pakistan need to score above par to challenge India under lights in Ahmedabad. The dew factor will be there and Pakistan are playing without any extra bowling options apart from their 3 regular pacers and 2 spinners. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and invited Pakistan to bat first in Ahmedabad.