Abara Azam's expected return to PakistanThe Test setup proved to be a tough one as the star batsmen managed to score just four runs before being narrowly defeated. South Africa. Entering the crease at 36/1 in the 15th over, Babar got off to a flying start, hitting a boundary on the first ball he faced. The strike seemed to herald the arrival of Babar's top innings, but his stay at the venue was short-lived.
Babar Azam's shooting selection is under control
The run pattern also raises questions about Babar's selection in Test cricket. After a good start with a boundary, the Pakistan skipper looked hesitant, playing nine balls in a row before trying a mistimed dab to give away the extra. On the second ball of the 18th over, he directed a big delivery from the Dane Paterson directly to Aiden Markram on the second descent. Markram made no mistake, finishing straight to send the former Pakistan skipper back to the stadium. The shot lacked conviction and led to an easy catch by Markram, leaving the visitors vulnerable on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Also WATCH: Dane Paterson sends Babar Azam carrying on Day 1 of SA vs PAK 1st Test
A tough start for Pakistan's batting line-up against South Africa
Babar's dismissal also extends the drought of concern in the longest format of the game. The right-hander has now gone 19 consecutive Tests without a fifty-plus score. His last assist came in December 2022 in a Boxing Day match against new Zealandwhere he scored a century in Karachi.
Babar's early departure backfired heavily for Pakistan, who relied on their skipper to set up the innings in a tough Centurion game. His wicket brought the vice-captain Saud Shakeel until Pakistan tried to rebuild it. But he also fell early in another way Pakistan reach 88/4 at Lunch. However, the dismissal also caused a storm on social media, with critics and supporters alike expressing their disappointment at Babar's inability to convert into big scorers in Test cricket.
Here's how fans responded:
Babar Azam takes the place of a deserving son.
He should be dropped from the Test match.#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/CPTCr7wlx4
– Heisenberg (@rovvmut_) December 26, 2024
Babar Azam is a bowler who scores runs whenever he wants to save or make his own runs.#PAKvsSA pic.twitter.com/re22YwMZli
– Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) December 26, 2024
Most consecutive innings by Pakistan batsmen without 50 in Tests
23 W Mathias
21 Alimuddin
19 Taufeeq Umar
19 Babar Azam– Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 26, 2024
Sadness from Babar. What was he trying to do there? Push away from the body? Controlling it on the ground with a rope full of high jumps on the ground?
He gave away his wicket.
– MA (@coverpoint_) December 26, 2024
Tailender plays such 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 went to play in many places outside off stump 😬
– Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) December 26, 2024
A very disappointing dismissal for Babar Azam today, who is supposed to be the main player in the Pakistan team. Letting the bats out again.#SAvPAK
– CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) December 26, 2024
Babar Azam has now gone under 50 in Test Cricket for the 19th time in a row.
A funny, dubious chase as he tried to chase the ball to one with four slips waiting.#SAvPAK
– Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) December 26, 2024
This is a pathetic score for Pakistan. Pakistan's best batsman Babar Azam has the lowest score of 4 😭😭😭#SAvPAK #not found #DontStopStreaming #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/7FIThU1Sc2
– Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 26, 2024
4 runs on 11 tracks.
Babar Azam is not a good batsman.
Babar Azam is not a good batsman.
Babar Azam is no ordinary batsman.
Babar Azam is not a batsman.
Babar Azam is a fraud and should not be in this team. https://t.co/AjbPMG7R6w– Abdullah (@abdullahhammad4) December 26, 2024
Babar Azam has achieved only one success in 101 Test matches.
Don't expect Joe Root or Steve Smith plays from Babar Azam. He is a common batsman in test cricket.
– Bash (@bashhh_24) December 26, 2024