Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam expressed his disappointment after failing to capitalize on solid starts in both innings during the ongoing second Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. Initially tasked with opening the innings after Saim Ayyub was ruled out due to an ankle injury, Babar took on the challenge and played a crucial role in Pakistan’s first innings. He top-scored with a well-played 58 off 127 balls, marking his second consecutive half-century in Test cricket. Despite his solid start, he failed to convert it into a big score, getting caught down the leg side by South African bowler Kwena Maphaka.
In the second innings, Babar was once again in fine form, batting on 81 and closing in on a much-anticipated century. However, his knock came to an abrupt end when he chased a wide delivery from Marco Jansen, only for the ball to edge straight to gully. Reflecting on his dismissals, Babar expressed his frustration, particularly with throwing away his wicket just before the close of play on Day 3.
"I’m very disappointed with both innings. I started well but didn’t finish well. If you settle, you must go much bigger. That is why I was a bit upset. There were just 15 minutes left. The conditions here are different from Centurion. When you come to South Africa, you don’t expect that [the pitch will be so flat]. With the new ball, it was a bit challenging, but once you settled down and built a partnership, it became easier," Babar said, speaking at the press conference following the day’s play.
Babar also touched on his partnership with Shan Masood in the second innings, which was a significant development in Pakistan’s recovery from a challenging position. The duo shared a vital 205-run stand, with Masood contributing a century to keep Pakistan in the game after their early collapse in the first innings. Despite his own disappointment at not capitalizing further on his partnership with Masood, Babar acknowledged the importance of the stand in helping Pakistan recover.
"I should have capitalized during our partnership, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen. In the second innings, my partnership with Shan has helped us come back into the game a little," Babar added.
Pakistan had been bowled out for just 194 in their first innings in response to South Africa’s mammoth total of 615. However, they showed improved resilience in their second innings. At the close of play on Day 3, Pakistan were 213/1, still trailing by 208 runs. Masood, who had played a patient and gritty knock, was unbeaten on 102*, while Khurram Shahzad was at the crease with 8*. The partnership between Babar and Masood was crucial in ensuring Pakistan still had a chance to make a comeback in the match, and the team’s hopes of setting a competitive total were firmly alive heading into Day 4.
