New Delhi: Babar Azam ended a long wait for a half-century in a 50-over format with a superb knock against South Africa in the second ODI at the Newlands, Cape Town. Babar, who has gone through an extended lean patch in ODI cricket, scored a magnificent fifty against the Proteas to give Pakistan a solid platform batting first against the Proteas. The star batter notched up his 33rd ODI fifty, which included some sumptuous strokes including a superb cover drive against Marco Jansen.
Babar showed his class against Jansen, who bowled a full delivery just outside off stump to induce the edge. But Babar was up to the task and very elegantly leaned into the shot and caressed it through cover point region.
Babar’s shot was reminiscent of a Virat Kohli cover drive and left the fans in awe of his batting.
— rohitkohlirocks@123@ (@21OneTwo34) December 19, 2024
Babar ends long drought
Babar finally ended a long half-century drought and registered his first 50+ score after 21 ODI innings. The former Pakistan captain played a superb knock of 73 off 95 balls with the help of seven boundaries and stitched a 115-run stand with captain Mohammad Rizwan for the third wicket. Babar was dismissed by Andile Phehlukwayo in the 33rd over. At the time of writing this article, Rizwan was batting on 76. He was accompanied at the crease by Salman Agha (4*)
SA aim to bounce back
Earlier, South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first in sunny conditions at Newlands, Cape Town. The decision to field first paid off instantly for the hosts as Marco Jansen dismissed opening batter Abdullah Shafique for a duck in the first over of the innings. Saim Ayub played some flamboyant strokes during his 25-run stay but just when he was looking dangerous Kwena Maphaka got rid of him in the 10th over.
The home side is looking to bounce back in the three-match series following a three-wicket loss in the opener at Paarl on December 17, Tuesday.
SA vs PAK: Babar Azam finally ended a long half-century drought in the ongoing second ODI between Pakistan and South Africa in Newlands, Cape Town. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
