Pak vs Aus: 'Thrilled' Australian journalist 'loved' watching Babar Azam play

By
M Muzamil Asif
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Australian sports journalist Melinda Farrell poses at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (left) and Pakistans captain Babar Azam walks back to the pavillon after his dismissal during the fifth and final day of the second Test cricket match between Pakistan and Australia at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on March 16, 2022. — Instagram/@melindasmfarrell/AFP
Australian sports journalist Melinda Farrell poses at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (left) and Pakistan's captain Babar Azam walks back to the pavillon after his dismissal during the fifth and final day of the second Test cricket match between Pakistan and Australia at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on March 16, 2022. — Instagram/@melindasmfarrell/AFP

KARACHI: Australian sports journalist Melinda Farrell was as much thrilled as fans after watching Pakistan unpredictably saving the second Test against Australia here at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Green Caps were driven to a competitive position by their skipper Babar Azam who went against all odds not only to save the match but also to register some new records in world cricket. The right-handed batter smashed 196 runs off 425 balls to remain unbeaten.

"I am an Australian journalist, but it doesn't mean I support Australia. I actually support quality cricket, and luckily, I got to watch a lot of that here in Karachi," Melinda said while speaking during a Twitter Space hosted by Geo News English on Wednesday.

Read more: Pakistan record Test history

"I loved watching Babar, especially for the first time at his home. I was impressed by Abdullah, the way this youngster absorbed pressure. Overall, it was a phenomenal turnover by these two batters, and eventually, they took away the whole game from Australia," the journalist said following 171 runs match-saving partnership between Babar-Abdullah.

When Melinda was asked about Australia's performance, she said they missed a couple of chances but it often happens in such a pressure situation. "Yes, Australia missed a couple of chances. They dropped a few catches in the end, but as you say, it happens in cricket," she said.

Read more: Babar Azam's record-breaking century helps Pakistan draw Karachi Test

Looking forward, Melinda is confident that Lahore Test is also going to be a thriller. "Both Australia and Pakistan played some quality cricket. And it ensures that Lahore Test is also going to be competitive. I really look forward to the last Test, and hope we see a result there," she asserted.

On a concluding note, the visiting journalist thanked Karachiites for their wonderful hospitality and wished to come back to the metropolis soon.