Watch: Pakistan's Babar Azam continued his poor form as South Africa's fielder Tony de Zorzi took a stunning catch on day one (October 20) of the second Test in Rawalpindi.
The 56th over of the day from Maharaj to Babar contained all sorts of drama. It began with an inside edge that didn't yield any runs. Then, on the second ball, Babar cut a short, wide delivery in front of point. The third delivery was a peach, as it gripped the surface and beat Babar's bat as he tried to defend. Off the fourth ball, Babar took a double on the off side.
Then, Maharaj pinned Babar on the pad, but the umpire was unmoved by South Africa's appeal. Upon review, UltraEdge showed a spike, so Babar had a respite. However, he ran out of luck just a ball later – much of the credit for the dismissal should go to De Zorzi at silly point. It was a tossed-up ball on a full-ish length, and Babar tried to defend on the front foot but didn't quite reach the pitch of the ball, popping it up in the air. De Zorzi threw his body to the right, picking up a one-handed stunner. Babar, in disbelief, returned to the pavilion for a 22-ball 16.
ALSO READ: No fifty in 34 months: Babar Azam’s struggle in home Tests continues
2nd Test, Pakistan vs South Africa
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At the end of 2022, Babar Azam was averaging 49.25, with 3,645 runs from 45 Tests. Since then, in his next 16 matches (he has another innings to bat in the ongoing game), he has made only 846 runs at 28.20. This poor form has caused his overall career average to nosedive to 42.31.
Watch Babar Azam fall cheaply yet again:
Babar Azam 16(22) vs South Africa | 2nd Test - 2025, Gaddafi Stadium#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen | #PakistanCricketpic.twitter.com/r1a5KngUUI
— Kh4N PCT (@Kh4N_PCT) October 20, 2025
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