South Africa vs Pakistan: Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has struggled to showcase his exceptional batting skills in Test cricket, marking two years of disappointing performance. Prior to the 2022 series against South Africa, he had managed to score over 50 runs, but since then, he has not achieved a single half-century.
.@babarazam258 and @shani_official become the first Asian opening pair to have a 200-plus partnership in South Africa 🤝
Babar is dismissed after a solid 81 🏏#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/50Em4u6xri
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 5, 2025
However, Babar broke his drought during the series in South Africa, managing to score two consecutive half-centuries. In the second Test at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, he responded to the ongoing criticism regarding his form by achieving this feat in one day. Babar scored 58 runs in the first innings, but unfortunately, the Pakistani team faltered, totaling just 194 runs. South Africa, having amassed 615 runs in their first innings, enforced a follow-on.
Skipper @shani_official‘s unbeaten century drives Pakistan’s defiance in the second innings 🏏#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/SwlbZbz4JG
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 5, 2025
In the second innings, Babar opened the batting and scored 81 runs off 124 balls, hitting 10 fours on the third day. His contributions, alongside Shan Masood’s unbeaten 101, helped Pakistan reach 213 for 1 at the end of the day, demonstrating resilience against South Africa’s bowling attack.
Record for the highest opening partnership during a follow-on in Test matches:
205 – Shan Masood and Babar Azam (Pakistan) against South Africa, Cape Town, 2025
204 – Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie (South Africa) against England, Lord’s, 2008
185 – Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes (Bangladesh) against England, Lord’s, 2010
182 – Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan (England) against West Indies, St John’s, 2004
176 – Graham Gooch and Michael Atherton (England) against India, The Oval, 1990
Following Pakistan’s first innings total of 194 runs, South Africa aimed to dismiss the visiting team cheaply in their second innings to secure a significant victory and reinforce their status as a strong contender for the World Test Championship title. Having already qualified for the World Test Championship by winning the first Test of the series, South Africa was focused on this goal. Meanwhile, the outcome of the Sydney Test confirmed Australia’s qualification for the World Test Championship as well.