Babar Azam’s much-anticipated return to Pakistan’s Test setup proved anticlimactic as the star batter managed to score just four runs before falling to a soft dismissal against South Africa. Entering the crease at 36/1 during the 15th over, Babar started with flair, striking an authoritative boundary on the very first ball he faced. The shot seemed to signal the arrival of a classic Babar innings, but his stay at the crease was short-lived.
Babar Azam’s shot selection under scrutiny
The mode of dismissal once again raises questions about Babar’s shot selection in Test cricket. After a promising start with a boundary, the Pakistani skipper appeared hesitant, playing nine consecutive dot balls before attempting an ill-timed dab to a wide delivery. On second ball of the 18th over, he edged a wide delivery from Dane Paterson straight to Aiden Markram at second slip. Markram made no mistake, completing a straightforward catch to send the Pakistan former skipper back to the pavilion. The shot lacked conviction and resulted in an easy catch for Markram, leaving the visitors in a precarious situation on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Also WATCH: Dane Paterson sends Babar Azam packing on Day 1 of the SA vs PAK 1st Test
A tough start for Pakistan’s batting lineup against South Africa
Babar’s dismissal further extends a worrying drought in the longer format of the game. The right-hander has now gone 19 consecutive Test innings without a fifty-plus score. His last significant contribution came in December 2022 during the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand, where he scored an emphatic century in Karachi.
Babar’s early departure was a major setback for Pakistan, who relied on their skipper to anchor the innings on a challenging Centurion pitch. His wicket brought vice-captain Saud Shakeel to the crease as Pakistan attempted to rebuild. But he fell early too somehow Pakistan have reached 88/4 at Lunch. However, the dismissal also ignited a storm on social media, with critics and followers expressing disappointment over Babar’s continued inability to convert starts into substantial scores in Test cricket.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Babar Azam is taking the place of a deserving youngster.
He should be permanently dropped from the Test squad.#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/CPTCr7wlx4
— Heisenberg (@rovvmut_) December 26, 2024
Babar Azam is a player who will score runs whenever he wants to save or create personal milestones.#PAKvsSA pic.twitter.com/re22YwMZli
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) December 26, 2024
Most consecutive innings by Pakistan frontline batters without a 50 in Tests
23 W Mathias
21 Alimuddin
19 Taufeeq Umar
19 Babar Azam— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 26, 2024
Pathetic that from Babar. What was he trying to do there? Pushing away from the body? Steering it down with a packed cordon and a lot of bounce in the surface?
Gifted his wicket away.
— MA (@coverpoint_) December 26, 2024
Tailenders play such kind of shots babar should be ashamed of himself.
— Taimoor Saleem. (@FracturedMalang) December 26, 2024
What was Babar doing there 😅👀#SAvPAK
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) December 26, 2024
Babar gone playing at a wide delivery outside off-stump 😬
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) December 26, 2024
Very disappointing dismissal from Babar Azam today, who is meant to be the premier player in the Pakistan team. Poking the bat outside offstump again.#SAvPAK
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) December 26, 2024
Babar Azam has now been out for an under-50 score in Test Cricket for the 19th time in a row.
A funny, indecisive dismissal this one since he tried to run a wide off-stump ball for a single with four slips waiting.#SAvPAK
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) December 26, 2024
This is such a sad scorecard for Pakistan. Pakistan’s best batter Babar Azam has the lowest score of 4 😭😭😭#SAvPAK #tapmad #DontStopStreaming #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/7FIThU1Sc2
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 26, 2024
4 runs on 11 deliveries.
Babar Azam isn’t a great batter.
Babar Azam isn’t a good batter.
Babar Azam isn’t an average batter.
Babar Azam isn’t a shit batter.
Babar Azam is an imposter and he should not be in the team. https://t.co/AjbPMG7R6w— Abdullah (@abdullahhammad4) December 26, 2024
Babar Azam has got just one man of the match performance in 101 test match innings.
Don’t expect Joe Root or Steve Smith type of performances from Babar Azam. He is an ordinary batter in test cricket.
— Bash (@bashhh_24) December 26, 2024
Also READ: SA vs PAK 2024-25, Test Series: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch in India, USA, South Africa, Pakistan, other countries
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