Analysing how has Babar Azam performed in Tests against South Africa ahead of home series

Babar Azam stats vs South Africa - (Source: AFP)

On Sunday, October 12, Pakistan and South Africa will kickstart their campaign in the ongoing WTC cycle as both teams square off against each other at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Eyes will be on Babar Azam as the former captain returns to international cricket after a long gap.

Notably, Babar was not part of Pakistan's Asia Cup squad, and the fans will get to see a glimpse of their idol after a long interval. Babar is going through a rough patch in his career and, in particular, in Test cricket.

The right-handed batter is struggling for runs and fears another ouster from the national team. Babar will be under immense pressure when he faces South Africa on Sunday, as the 30-year-old has amassed just 184 runs in six innings in 2025, averaging just 30.

Ahead of the upcoming series, this article will look at how Babar has performed against the Rainbow Nation and whether he will get confidence from looking at his stats against South Africa.

Babar Azam's stats vs South Africa

• Babar boasts a decent record against South Africa. He only averages 38.38, which is not great. The right-handed batter eyes his first century against the Proteas. Azam would look to improve his average and replicate his heroics against teams like Sri Lanka, Australia, and New Zealand, against which he averages over 50.
• Notably, Babar's last Test century came in 2022 when he scored a ton against New Zealand. However, as he looks to return to form, let's look at what is Babar's record against South Africa at home.

Babar Azam's stats vs South Africa in Pakistan

• Interestingly, out of 14 innings, Babar has only played four innings at home, which was the home series against Proteas in 2021. Babar actually averages less at home against South Africa than his overall stats. At home, the right-handed batter only averages 30.5 and is yet to score a fifty-plus score.
• All six fifties for Babar has come in South Africa against the Proteas and has actually struggled against spin at home. Notably, out of the four dismissals against the Proteas Nation at home, Babar was dismissed thrice to Keshav Maharaj.
• Thus, these stats will be in Babar's head and will look to play the spinners carefully. 

Conclusion

Overall, Babar has done well against South Africa on fast, pace-friendly conditions, but struggled against the Proteas back at home in spin and challenging conditions. Interestingly, in the past two years, Pakistan have ended up on the losing side in matches where they have put flat and pace-friendly conditions.

Thus, to end the losing streak, PCB decided to opt for turning tracks and it brought immediate results, courtesy of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan's wicket-taking ability. However, it is disadvantageous for Babar as he will get to taste his own medicine, which might actually go against them.

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