Babar Azam sends wishes to R Ashwin as he retires after BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam took to social media on Friday, December 20, to extend his wishes to Indian veteran Ravichandran Ashwin, who announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, December 18.
Ashwin made the announcement after the conclusion of the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which ended in a draw. The 38-year-old, alongside captain Rohit Sharma, addressed the media at the post-match conference to formally bid farewell to international cricket.
Since then, tributes have been pouring in for the Indian legend, with Babar Azam being the latest to pay his respects. The Pakistani cricketer took to Instagram Stories to share a message for the legendary Indian spinner, writing:
“Congratulations on an incredible career @rashwin99.”
The Tamil Nadu cricketer retired as India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 537 scalps in 106 matches, including 37 five-wicket hauls. The off-spinner also claimed 228 wickets in 181 white-ball games across both formats.
Babar Azam shines with fifty as Pakistan beat South Africa in 2nd ODI to take unassailable 2-0 lead
Pakistan faced South Africa in the second ODI of the three-match series on Thursday, December 19, in Cape Town. South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl. Marco Jansen made an early impact, dismissing Abdullah Shafique for a duck, while his opening partner, Saim Ayub, contributed 25 off 31 balls.
Babar Azam and captain Mohammad Rizwan then formed a crucial 115-run partnership for the third wicket off 142 balls. Babar scored 73 from 95 balls, and Rizwan made 80 off 82 balls.
In the final stages, Kamran Ghulam played a brilliant knock, blasting 63 off 32 balls. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 329 in 49.5 overs.
In response, Heinrich Klaasen was the only notable contributor for South Africa, scoring 97. The hosts were bowled out for 248, losing by 81 runs. With this win, Pakistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.