18-year-old South Africa national cricket team player Kwena Maphaka is living the dream in the ongoing second test against Pakistan national cricket team. The final game of the two-match series between the teams takes place at Newlands in Cape Town.
Kwena Maphaka, who is making his debut for the South African national cricket team, bowled extremely well in the ongoing game. The young pacer bowled some tough lines and lengths and troubled the batsmen of the Pakistan national cricket team with his bowling in the match.
Kwena Maphaka bowled consistently at 140km/h in the second Test against Pakistan
Maphaka, with the way he was bowling, it's fair to say it was only a matter of time before he got his first Test. The young fast bowler could not have asked for a better start to his career as he removed Pakistan national cricket team's premiership batsman Babar Azam to take his first wicket in the format.
Maphaka, who bowled consistently at 140km/h, bowled a length ball in from outside leg stump which also stayed a bit low. Babar Azam looked to take a look but only managed to knock it back. Wicketkeeper Verreynne came down to swallow it and hand the young player his first wicket.
Although, it wasn't a ball that took the wicket, Kwena Maphaka was blown to pieces as he took off in celebration with a beaming smile on his face. He was applauded by almost every player in the South African national cricket team and the crowd also rose to their feet to applaud him for taking the wicket.
Watch: Kwena Maphaka removes Babar Azam to take maiden Test wicket
Here is the video:
It is encouraging to see 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka get his first test on debut. His first Test scalp was the dangerous Pakistani Babar Azam. pic.twitter.com/kAwpIl6e1k
β Ratombo πΏπ¦ (@stoneman_o) January 5, 2025
With the wicket of Babar Azam, Kwena Maphaka became the youngest player in the South African National Cricket Team to ever take a Test wicket. The young pacer has now also dismissed the Pakistan national cricket team batsman in all the three formats of the game in his young career.
T20I β
ODI β
TEST β18-year-old Kwena Maphaka has dismissed Babar Azam in all formats#SAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/s5CkE8rDRh
β πΊπππππ (@Shebas_10dulkar) January 5, 2025
Babar Azam returned to the hut after playing an innings of 58 runs from 127 balls
Babar Azam looked decent with the bat in the ongoing Test. The right-hander was set for a big ton but got an unfortunate dismissal. The former Pakistan national cricket team captain slammed his second half-century of the series and announced his arrival to form in style.
Babar Azam was back in the hut after playing an innings of 58 runs from 127 balls with the help of 7 boundaries. With Saim Ayub ruled out, the batsman was asked to open the innings for the team and he did a great job for his side, but the right-hander hardly got support from the other end.
Wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan looked the only established batsman apart from Babar Azam. He hit 46 runs but could not continue. Pakistan's national cricket team were left reeling at 155/6 and with the way they are batting, there is a good chance they will be followed.
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