[Watch] Babar Azam gets out to a loose shot for 50 in SA vs PAK 2024 1st Test
Pakistan's ace batter Babar Azam notched up a fine half-century in his team's second innings of the ongoing Test series opener against South Africa in Centurion on Saturday, December 28. The former captain toiled hard for a well-made 50 off 85 balls.
Babar showed glimpses of his vintage self as he ended his poor red-ball form. This was the 30-year-old's first 50-plus score in the format since his 161-run knock against New Zealand on December 26, 2022.
However, he failed to convert his fifty into a big score, throwing his wicket away with a poor shot. Babar perished to left-arm pacer Marco Jansen in the 37th over of the innings.
Jansen provided his team with a big breakthrough after being brought back into the attack. He bowled a short delivery outside the off-stump.
Babar looked to capitalize on the loose delivery and attempted to slash it for a six over the deep point fielder. He couldn't get enough distance and ended up hitting it straight to Corbin Bosch near the boundary ropes.
Jannsen had a wry smile on his face as he perhaps knew that it wasn't a wicket-taking delivery.
You can watch the video of Babar's dismissal below:
It is worth mentioning that Babar Azam was dismissed for just four runs in Pakistan's first innings at Centurion. While he redeemed himself in the subsequent essay, he would be disappointed with the way he got out.
Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel forms impressive fourth-wicket partnership on Day 3 of PAK vs SA 2024 1st Test
Pakistan were off to a decent start with the bat in their second innings, with openers Saim Ayub and Shan Masood adding 49 runs at the top. South Africa bounced back by dismissing Masood and Kamran Ghulam in quick succession.
Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel steadied the ship for the visitors, stitching together a crucial 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket. While Babar was dismissed for 50, Shakeel went on to score 84 before falling to Marco Jansen in the 57th over.
At the time of writing, Pakistan are 236/9 in 57 over. They lead South Africa by 146 runs. Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas are at the crease on 8* and 0*, respectively.