Babar Azam
In a highly anticipated return to T20 International cricket, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam experienced a truly nightmarish outing on Tuesday. His comeback coincided with Pakistan’s crushing 55-run defeat against a spirited, albeit under-strength, South African squad in the series opener held in Rawalpindi.
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Marking his first T20I match since December 2024, Babar’s innings was tragically cut short after just two deliveries, as he succumbed to a duck by offering a straightforward catch to Reeza Hendricks at cover. The dismissal sent shockwaves through the 16,000-strong crowd, who had roared with excitement moments earlier as he stepped onto the field, on the cusp of surpassing Rohit Sharma’s all-time T20I run record. A hush fell over Rawalpindi as Pakistan’s beloved batter made the long walk back to the dugout.
WATCH: Babar Azam’s dismissal for a duck in Rawalpindi.
The forgettable evening continued for Azam when he dropped a simple catch off George Linde in the 17th over. This crucial error at mid-on not only gifted Linde a reprieve but also saw the ball trickle over the boundary for four runs. Seizing this lifeline, Linde went on to smash an impressive 36 runs off just 22 balls, significantly boosting South Africa’s total to a commanding 194/9 after they were sent in to bat first.
WATCH: Babar Azam’s drop catch to give George Linde a respite.
Earlier in the match, Reeza Hendricks provided a solid foundation for South Africa with a fluent 60 runs off 40 balls, ably supported by debutant Tony de Zorzi, who blazed a quickfire 33 off just 16 deliveries. Despite commendable efforts from Mohammad Nawaz (3/26) and Saim Ayub (2/31), Pakistan’s bowlers found it challenging to curb the Proteas’ aggressive start, especially in the powerplay, which saw the visitors accumulate a formidable 74 runs.
Pakistan’s pursuit of the target never gained momentum. Corbin Bosch emerged as the Proteas’ star bowler, claiming 4 wickets for just 14 runs, including both openers and the prized wicket of Babar Azam himself. Only Saim Ayub (37 off 28) and Mohammad Nawaz (36 off 20) managed to show any significant fight as Pakistan’s innings collapsed to a mere 139 runs in 18.1 overs.
As the series now shifts to Lahore for the crucial final two matches, all eyes will be on Babar Azam. He will undoubtedly be eager to turn his fortunes around, deliver a match-winning performance, and quell the increasing speculation surrounding his future in T20 international cricket.
For another inspiring sports story, discover Lovlina Borgohain’s journey on Game On, Episode 5.