England seized further control of the first Test on Day 4 by rushing past Pakistan’s first innings total of 556 with seven wickets still in hand. Incumbent overnight centurions Joe Root and Harry Brook picked up exactly where they had left off as the duo scored at nearly run-aball in the opening session, combining for 166 runs in just 29 overs while bringing up just the 16th 400-run stand in Test cricket history. By the time the break was called, the lead was already a handsome 103 and Root stood on the brink of a maiden Test triple ton, having already surpassed his previous best of 254. However, things could have played out drastically differently had Babar Azam held onto the simplest of dollies presented to him in just the fourth over of the day.
The batters were still readjusting to the Multan heat as Root neared the coveted 200-run mark when Naseem Shah dished one back of a length to the veteran in his 23rd over. Root seized the opportunity to pull hard but had forgotten all about the fielder at short midwicket. As it turned out, it was for good reason as the ball travelled straight to a crouched Babar at the perfect catchable height but the former Pakistan skipper made a meal of it, failing to move quick enough to get his hands in position in time.
Both Naseem and Babar were visibly distraught while Root let slip a cheeky smile, mirroring the reactions of Twitterati.
He can’t believe it!
Oh lord
This is how Babar Azam dropped a dolly catch of Joe Root before double hundred #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/8e3i5vYnXY
— Ahmed Jadoon (@AhmedJadoon099) October 10, 2024
Babar Azam dropped an easy catch of Joe Root.
Feel for Naseem pic.twitter.com/p5NyXOG4ZT— junaiz (@dhillow_) October 10, 2024
Not good
Pakistan have taken three wickets in 125 overs. Not a single wicket in the last 75 overs.
Then Babar Azam drops a dolly from Joe Root. pic.twitter.com/zruKYlzsG0— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) October 10, 2024
Uncatchable
Naseem’s ball to Joe Root was 140 KM/H, Root swung his bat at 74KM/H, Which makes the ball speed 214KM/H after coming off the bat to Babar Azam. His reaction time was 0.0052 seconds. No human being in history could’ve caught that. It’s literally uncatchable 😔💔 pic.twitter.com/om1QwA0N9V
— Mizaan (@DarkRoIe) October 10, 2024
Babar Azam dropped an Easy catch of Joe Root
Buray din chal rahe hain pic.twitter.com/DMGTctUBpI— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) October 10, 2024
It can’t get easier
easy!!
Babar Azam dropped the easy catch for Joe root .#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/VfsaGX4PtT
— Malik Hammad (@Hammad_Iqbal786) October 10, 2024
Babar Azam drops a dolly of Joe Root.🫢 #PAKvENG #BabarAzam #JoeRoot pic.twitter.com/U9nSWAeXns
— Jagga (@Jaggacricnews) October 10, 2024
Demoralising
Beautiful
Babar Azam Dropped Catch of Joe Root before his 200
Beautiful🤡Explanation from a Fan#BabarAzam #JoeRoot #HarryBrook #PAKvENG #PAKvsENG pic.twitter.com/XidNrKoiox— Jawad Fakharian (@SamarJawadii) October 10, 2024
