WATCH: Babar Azam slams Imam Ul Haq after 1st ODI dismissal; celebrates hundred together next time

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was livid with opening batter Imam Ul Haq after his untimely dismissal in the first one-dayer of the series against Australia on Tuesday (March 29).

Babar was disappointed with the mode of dismissal for Imam, the century-maker, as he looked to cut a full-pitched delivery from Nathan Ellis but missed it and was out bowled.

The left-hander had batted superbly for his 96-ball 103 and was Pakistan’s only real positive from a heavy loss in Lahore. But he was still subjected to scrutiny by captain Babar Azam, who was seen having a serious chat with his opener as he came back following his dismissal.

What would’ve caused greater anger for the skipper is that Imam’s dismissal triggered a horrible Pakistan collapse. The hosts went from 120 for 1 to 225 all out, losing the game by 88 runs.

However, in the very next ODI, when Imam remarkably repeated his century feat, guess who was the happiest person present on the field?

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Babar Azam and Imam Ul Haq made centuries in a comeback win for Pakistan.

Babar Azam mends ways with Imam Ul Haq with a tight hug

Babar Azam was seen sharing a heartening tight hug with his opening batter and friend Imam, congratulating him for another century after giving him a hard time for a mistake in the previous game.

The fond moment came to light immediately after Imam nudged the ball through the in-field for a single to complete his second successive hundred of the series.

The left-hander tapped wristspinner Mitchell Swepson on the on-side for his 100th run and raised his hands in celebration. The camera rolled to Babar Azam’s end and he was seen equally jubilant for his teammate.

The skipper gave Imam a tight hug as they would’ve felt assured of being on the right track in another and perhaps even more difficult run-chase at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Friends grow together. 🫂#BoysReadyHain l #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/LHQiQk7qBZ

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 31, 2022

Chasing a massive target of 349, Pakistan looked down and out at the start of the second half. But then a tremendous start provided by their openers Imam and Fakhar Zaman (67) raised the team’s hopes. The Imam-Fakhar duo shared a stand of 118 runs, which was nearly equalled by the Imam-Babar partnership of 111 runs.

While Imam finished with a 97-ball 106, Babar too rallied on to produce another of his ODI centuries, making 114 runs off just 83 deliveries. Most importantly, they helped Pakistan race along to the whopping 349-run target with an over left in the game.