Babar Azam continues to fail as Pakistan’s star batter scored another duck in the T20Is against South Africa, but did he surpass Shahid Afridi’s most ducks’ record?
On his return to the T20 side after a year here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Babar could not extend his stay at the crease and was caught without scoring.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam equalled Shahid Afridi’s ducks record, as both now share the mark for the most ducks in T20 Internationals for Pakistan, each being dismissed without scoring eight times.
Pakistan’s T20I duck record
- Umar Akmal: 10
- Saim Ayub: 9
- Babar Azam: 8
- Shahid Afridi: 8
- Kamran Akmal: 7
- Mohammad Hafeez: 7
Yesterday, South Africa beat Pakistan by 55 runs in the opening pak vs sa T20i at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Chasing 195, the Pakistan national cricket team were bowled out for 139 in 18.1 overs. Leaving home fans searching the live score for a usual late miracle that rarely came.
Sent in to bat, the South Africa national cricket team piled up 194/9.
Reeza Hendricks set the tone with a fluent 60/40 and South Africa raced to 50 in 4.4 overs, 100 in 9 overs and 150.
A vital late blast from George Linde at the end 36 off 22 with four fours and a six, pushed the total beyond par.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz led the fight with 3/26, while part-time option Saim Ayub surprised with 2/31.
Moreover, Abrar Ahmed bowled Hendricks, and Naseem Shah ended Linde’s charge at the late overs.
Pakistan’s chase never settled
Sahibzada Farhan (24) started brightly, but Babar Azam (3) nicked off early and Salman Ali Agha (0) fell lbw.
When Saim Ayub (37) holed out and Usman Khan (12) was stumped, the innings slid to 85/5.
Mohammad Nawaz (36) counter attacked to keep pak vs south africa hopes alive, but the target kept drifting away.
South Africa’s bowlers were clinical
Corbin Bosch was the standout with a career best 4/14 in four overs, nailing his yorkers and hard length.
Left arm spinner George Linde (3/31) struck in the middle overs, supported by Lizaad Williams (2/21) and Lungi Ngidi (1).
Pakistan were dismissed with 11 extras ironically their fourth highest contributor.
