Pakistan found themselves battling the odds on Day 3 of the New Year’s Test after the visitors collapsed to 194 all-out in pursuit of South Africa’s massive first innings total of 615 on the back of a Ryan Rickelton double ton as well as centuries from Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreyne. However, just when the Proteas seemed to have all but secured the encounter, the Men in Green came up with a steely front when asked to follow-on led by veterans Shan Masood and Babar Azam. The current and former Test skippers scripted a 150-plus stand, Pakistan’s first century opening partnership in over three years, with both men registering individual half-centuries in the process and remaining unbeaten at the time of writing. The runs did not come easy though and involved some heated battles with the pacers, none more so than Babar’s confrontation with Mulder.
After being given a warm-up bowl in the 10th over, Mulder was brought on for his first proper spell with the score already past 130 in the 30th over. It took him just 10 balls to create chaos when Babar drove one down the ground and Mulder collected the ball, only to throw it with intent back at the batter’s crease. Even though Babar moved across from the stumps, Wiaan’s aim seemed to follow his counterpart and ended up rifling into Babar’s pads albeit without much damage. The Pakistan batter was quick to holler back at the pacer, letting him know where the stumps are indicating the needlessness of the throw, causing Mulder to tell himhe was outside his crease through gritted teeth.
Twitterati as always was all over the amusing incident.
Some heat
Exchange
— DJ Sinha (@sdj374531) January 5, 2025
— DJ Sinha (@sdj374531) January 5, 2025
Nice
Resurgence of elegance! BABAR AZAM is weaving a tapestry of tranquility with his bat, as his sublime cover drives and majestic straight drives paint a picture of perfection. Three consecutive fifties, a testament to his refined craftsmanship!#BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/WbPsas3qT5
— صالح (@iiisaleh97) January 5, 2025
Back in form
📸:💚🇵🇰
Pak:161/0
BABAR AZAM dispatched ripples of anxiety among his Opponents🥁
BABAR AZAM was criticised, bullied,washed,& Expelled from captaincy,shifted his position
BABAR AZAM answered with bat 3rd consecutive fifties & avoided leagues🥹#BabarAzam𓃵 | #BabarAzam|#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/6vXPysazSo— 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐳𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬 🏏 (@Bobi_1A) January 5, 2025
150 partnership between Shan Masood & Babar Azam – the 8th such opening partnership in away Tests for Pakistan and the first-ever in the SENA countries#SAvPAK #WTC25 #WorldTestChampionship #PakistanCricket #PakistanCricketTeam #PakistanTestTeam #TestCricket#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/guQydQ8ayR
— Mubsher Islam (@IslamMubsher) January 5, 2025
King
Babar Azam 63 (99).
Dear King Babar Azam 💖
As you have Crossed 50 and you are seeing the ball very well. It’s time to score 150+. Don’t play a rash shot and get out. Even your 100 isn’t enough for Pakistan. Tell people that why are you KING 👑🥲 pic.twitter.com/Ux0OOuYmTC— 199X (@Alloutcric_) January 5, 2025
Looking good
Its looking a good year for Babar Azam. Best wishes to you Bobby 🙏 pic.twitter.com/FtIXA4lm6l
— Farhan Sikandar (@fani_pti) January 5, 2025
Babar azam himat hai to double century kar ke dekhao
— weirdo (@mainkyunbataon) January 5, 2025
Wow
From 0️⃣ fifties in 2 years, to 2 fifties in a day! 🤯
– Scored a 5️⃣0️⃣
– Team got all out soon
– Sent to follow on
– Scored a 5️⃣0️⃣ again!
That’s 2 Fifties in a single day for Babar Azam 👀#SAvPAK #PakistanCricket— 𝕩 (@nodle_hair) January 5, 2025
