Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam got 2025 off to a bright start for himself ending a ‘fifty drought’ in Test cricket which stretched back to 19 innings. Babar notched up two half-centuries on Sunday after Pakistan were made to follow-on by South Africa in the second Test at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town.
Babar put on 205 runs for the opening wicket with captain Shan Masood as SA enforced follow-on after bowling out the visitors for 194 in reply to their massive score of 615 runs. On course of his 81-run knock in the second essay, Babar got into a massive fight with South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
Mulder’s wild throw hit Babar Azam on the foot with the make-shift Pakistan opener batting on 58 off 87 balls in the 32nd over of their innings. Babar lost his cool and was involved in a massive fight with Mulder before Masood and the umpires intervened. Babar and Mulder’s fight went viral on social media.
Babar Azam vs Wiaan Mulder
Babari ko pel diya #PakvsSa pic.twitter.com/9rovRnFjZH— Samar (@SamarPa71046193) January 5, 2025
Babar and Shan Masood set multiple records over the course of their double century stand. The 205-run partnership was the second-highest for Pakistan in Tests vs South Africa, only behind 219-run partnership between Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan in Cape Town back in 2013.
Their stand was also the highest opening partnership after following-on in Test cricket. They surpassed 204-run partnership put on by Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie against England at Lord’s in 2008.
Babar Azam was left ‘disappointed’ and reflective as he tried to process the shot that led to his dismissal on Day 3 of the second Test against South Africa. Positioned firmly at the crease on the benign surface of Newlands, Babar seemed poised to end his long wait for a Test century since his last ton against New Zealand in 2022.
As the day neared its conclusion, Babar appeared destined to secure his 10th Test hundred. However, with just 15 minutes remaining, his unwavering concentration faltered. Attempting an expansive cover drive, he edged the ball thickly to gully, where David Bedingham pulled off a stunning low catch. Marco Jansen’s jubilant celebration highlighted South Africa’s crucial breakthrough.
In the first innings, Babar had also been undone by a questionable shot selection, edging a delivery from debutant Kwena Maphaka to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. Reflecting on his performance, Babar expressed his disappointment:
“I’m very disappointed with both innings. I started well but didn’t finish well. If you settle, you must go much bigger. That is why I was a bit upset. There were just 15 minutes left,” he said.
The manner of his dismissal was particularly painful, both for Babar and Pakistan fans, as the South African bowling offered little threat on a pitch that had eased considerably. “The conditions here are different from Centurion. When you come to South Africa, you don’t expect the pitch to be so flat. With the new ball, it was a bit challenging, but once you settled down and built a partnership, it became easier,” Babar explained.
