Babar Azam‘s highly anticipated return PakistanThe Test set-up turned out to be anticlimactic as they managed to score just four runs before a soft dismissal against the star-studded opposition. South Africa. Babar, who entered the crease at 36/1 in the 15th over, got off to a valiant start, hitting a prestigious boundary on the first ball he faced. The shot seemed to herald the arrival of a classic Babar shot, but his stay at the crease was short-lived.
Babar Azam’s personnel selection is being investigated
The manner of the dismissal once again raises questions about Babar’s batting selection in Test cricket. After a promising start with a boundary, the Pakistani skipper looked hesitant and bowled nine consecutive dot balls before hitting a wide shot prematurely. On the second ball in the 18th minute, he deflected a wide pass Dane Paterson right Aiden Markram in the second slide. Markram made no mistake, completing a simple catch to send the former Pakistan captain back to the pavilion. The knock was unconvincing and took an easy catch for Markram, leaving the visitors in a precarious position on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa at the Centurion SuperSport Park.
Also WATCH: Dane Paterson sends Babar Azam packing on Day 1 of SA vs PAK 1st Test
Tough start for Pakistan’s batting against South Africa
Babar’s dismissal extends a worrying drought in the longer format of the game. The right-hander has now gone 19 consecutive Test innings without scoring more than 50. His last significant contribution came during the Boxing Day Test against in December 2022 New Zealandhe scored the highlight century in Karachi.
Babar’s early departure was a major setback for Pakistan, who relied on their captain to anchor the innings on a tough Centurion pitch. His door brought the vice-captain Saud Shakil Pakistan at the crease as it tries to rebuild. But for some reason he fell quickly Pakistan reached 88/4 at Lunch. However, the dismissal also ignited a storm on social media, with critics and followers expressing disappointment at Babar’s inability to convert starts into significant scores in Test cricket.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Babar Azam takes the place of a worthy young man.
He should be permanently banned from the test squad.#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/CPTCr7wlx4
— Heisenberg (@rovvmut_) December 26, 2024
Babar Azam is the player to score runs when 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 batsmen without scoring 50 in Tests
23 V Mathias
21 Alimeddin
19 Tofiq Omar
19 Babar Azam— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 26, 2024
Poor Babardan. What was he trying to do there? Pushing through the body? Driving it with a full cord and lots of bounce on the surface?
He gave his door as a gift.
— MA (@coverpoint_) December 26, 2024
Tailders should be ashamed of themselves for playing such shots.
– Taimur Saleem. (@FracturedMalang) December 26, 2024
What was Babar doing there 😅👀#SAvPAK
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) December 26, 2024
Babar went to play a wide delivery outside off stump 😬
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) December 26, 2024
Very disappointing dismissal of Babar Azam who is the key player of Pakistan team today. Pushing the bat back outside the off stump.#SAvPAK
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) December 26, 2024
This is the 19th time Babar Azam has scored below 50 in Test Cricket.
A funny, indecisive dismissal as he tried to run a wide off-stump ball on his own with four slips.#SAvPAK
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) December 26, 2024
This is a very sad indicator for Pakistan. Pakistan’s top batsman Babar Azam has the lowest score of 4 😭😭😭#SAvPAK #not found #Don’tStopStreaming #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/7FIthU1Sc2
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 26, 2024
4 runs off 11 deliveries.
Babar Azam is not of great inclination.
Babar Azam is not well inclined.
Babar Azam is not moderately inclined.
Babar Azam is not a shit person.
Babar Azam is a fake and he should not be in the team. https://t.co/AjbPMG7R6w— Abdullah (@abdullahhammad4) December 26, 2024
Babar Azam had just one in his 101 Test match innings.
Don’t expect Joe Root or Steve Smith type performances from Babar Azam. He is a regular batsman in test cricket.
— Bash (@bashhh_24) December 26, 2024
