After months away from T20 cricket, Pakistan’s ace batter Babar Azam made his much-anticipated return to the shortest format but the comeback didn’t go as planned. Playing against South Africa in the opening T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Babar was dismissed for a two-ball duck, leaving fans frustrated and disappointed.
Batting at No. 3, Babar Azam walked in after Sahibzada Farhan’s dismissal. Farhan had scored 24 runs from 19 balls and shared a 31-run opening stand with Saim Ayub. Facing Corbin Bosch, Babar tried to play across the line to a delivery pitched on off-stump. The ball took a thick outside edge and went straight to Reeza Hendricks at cover, ending his stay before it even began.
Pakistan, chasing a challenging target of 195, suffered an early blow with Babar Azam’s cheap dismissal. The Rawalpindi crowd fell silent as Babar made his way back to the pavilion without scoring. Soon after, social media lit up with harsh criticism and disappointment from fans. Some vented their frustration, saying Babar should not be compared to India’s Virat Kohli, who, despite a recent rough patch with two consecutive ducks against Australia, managed to bounce back with a composed half-century at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
On social media, one fan sarcastically wrote that Babar Azam “never disappoints” them, while another mockingly referenced his past performance, suggesting that hopes of him rescuing Pakistan in big tournaments might be misplaced.
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Babar Azam’s return came after Pakistan’s selectors reshuffled the T20 squad following their three consecutive losses to India in the recent Asia Cup, including a defeat in the final. The match in Rawalpindi was meant to mark a new beginning for both Babar and the team but instead, it turned into a night of frustration and renewed debate over his place in the T20 setup.
South Africa took a lead by 1-0 as they defeated the hosts by 55 runs, 7 Pakistani batters were not able to touch the double digit mark and their team could manage only 139 in 18.1 overs.
What is your take on Babar Azam’s return in T20Is?
