Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam joined the trend of using the 'bail swap' trick to secure wickets on the second day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. Babar Azam's 'bail swap' trick worked for the Men in Green as South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was dismissed by Aamer Jamal.
The “bail swap” trick, a superstitious tactic, has gained popularity among field teams in an attempt to change fortunes. Virat Kohli and Stuart Broad have used it several times. Broad's trickery played a role in Marnus Labuschagne's dismissal from the Oval Test during the 2023 Ashes series in England.
Mohammed Siraj had changed the bails in the Brisbane Test and India got the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne. During the fourth Test match between India and Australia, Siraj changed the bails again. Just 11 balls later, Labuschagne's batting partner Usman Khawaja miscued a pull shot by Jasprit Bumrah.
Watch: Babar Azam's Bail-Switch does Pakistan's job on Day 2
Babar Azam followed the trend of overturning the bails to inspire a wicket on the second day of the series opener. Pakistan were desperate to break the streak between Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram. Babar changed the bails and just a few overs later, Aamer Jamal picked up the wicket of Bavuma.
Aamer bowled a ball that broke late and Bavuma, who had been struggling with his leg movement, pushed the ball badly. Mohammad Rizwan completed a simple catch behind the stumps. Bavuma was dismissed for 31 off 74 balls with four boundaries. The hosts lost another wicket before lunch.
Watch the incident right here:
It felt easy when she could have left him, but Bavuma helped us prepare well for the day.
Time for the other batsmen to play their part pic.twitter.com/AkydsRTuWf
— Werner (@Werries_) December 27, 2024
Babar Azam joins the trend of overturning bails to secure wickets 🙌
– Shortly after South Africa captain Temba Bavuma lost his wicket to Aamer Jamal 👊#Cricket #SAvPAK #BabarAzam𓃵 #AamerJamal pic.twitter.com/BgSKZ55taB
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 27, 2024
The two-match Test series between South Africa and Pakistan began on December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl. Pakistan were dismissed for 211 runs on the opening day. Dane Paterson took five wickets and Corbin Bosch secured four wickets.
It's a great feeling – Dane Paterson
Speaking ahead of the second day's play, Dane Paterson expressed his delight after taking his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket, calling it a special achievement. Reflecting on Babar's dismissal, Paterson said he adjusted his line and focused on hitting the deck rather than swinging the ball.
“Yeah, it's a great feeling. Like I said, you might be thinking, “Oh, it's just a test five-iron,” but it's actually my second, and that makes it even more special. I think I mentioned yesterday how special it is. Spells from myself and Bosch really helped put the team in a strong position and now hopefully we can bat well today,” Dane Paterson.
“(On Ayub's wicket) Yes, he just spoiled enough. I think the ball was going a bit too far over the wicket so I decided to come. From there, the deliveries started nicely.”
“(On Babar's wicket) Yeah, I think I just pushed a wide one there. But again, the lines we were playing were a little straighter, and that one just broke it late. In the first session, I think I initially tried to swing the ball, but then I realized that I predominantly needed to focus on hitting the deck.”