Babar looks a cut above Pakistani team-mates

It’s tough to pass a torch when rain keeps threatening to douse the flame.

But when the sun was out in Hamilton yesterday, young batsman Babar Azam showed he’s poised to assume major responsibility for the Pakistan batting lineup.

With Misbah-ul-haq, 42, and Younis Khan - who will turn 39 on Tuesday - destined to step down from the test arena shortly, the No 2-ranked test side have to find new talent to keep them at the forefront.

In Babar, they appear to have promoted someone who is taking to test cricket in the same manner he has to the one-day format.

The 22-year-old Babar produced a wonderful innings as the visitors tried to fight their way back into contention in the second and final test of the series against New Zealand.

When Pakistan resumed at 76-5 yester, trailing by 195 runs, there was a ponderous weight on the youngster’s shoulders - Pakistan’s current tail is not noted for boisterous wagging.

And while his initial partner jaunty wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed - went after the home side’s bowling with the insatiable hunger of a man desperate for a full breakfast after a big night previous, Babar carried his burden with ease.

He drove with fluency and control, was equally at ease on the back foot and employed a sound defence when not ticking the score over. He reached 90 off 196 balls and was crestfallen when No 11 Imran Khan couldn’t leave a leg-side short one from Southee that he tickled to a diving BJ Watling, leaving Babar 10 short of a maiden test ton.

The slender right-hander appears to be a genuine talent capable of going on to great things.

He earned praise from New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who took 6-80 as New Zealand grabbed a 55-run first innings advantage.

‘‘He played very well. He looked pretty good in Christchurch as well,’’ Southee said.

‘‘He’s had a great start to his young career.

‘‘It’s very promising for Pakistan to have a young batsman like that coming through - obviously he’s got world-class batsmen in Misbah and Younis that I’d imagine he’s learning from.

‘‘For a guy to come here in his first test tour to New Zealand and play the way he’s played, it’s good signs that he can play in conditions that are foreign to them. He’s got a pretty simple technique and method to his game.’’