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First Time In 733 Days! Babar Azam Brings Up Test Fifty After 2 Years Wait vs South Africa

Abhinav Tyagi

Babar Azam Fifty- (Source:@AP)Babar Azam Fifty- (Source:@AP)

On Saturday, December 28, Pakistan's star Babar Azam ended his runs-drought in red-ball cricket after a fifty against South Africa in the ongoing first Test. Azam smashed a fifty-plus score after 19 innings. Babar's last fifty-plus score came against New Zealand in December 2022, where he played a century knock. However, since then, the right-hand batter took 733 days to score another fifty-plus score.

Soon after completing his fifty, Babar threw his wicket away to Marco Jansen and returned to the pavilion disappointed. He scored 50 (85), which featured nine fours. With that dismissal, Azam also ended 2024 without a single century across formats. 

Babar Azam's Knock Helps Pakistan Take Lead In Boxing Day Test

Babar registered a low score in the first innings, but bounced back strongly in the second innings. He came to bat when Pakistan were in trouble and the first thing he did was too put runs on the board and reduce the runs deficit. He stitched a valuable partnership with Saud Shakeel and helped Pakistan get ahead of South Africa for the first time in this match. 

It is worth noting that Babar boasts a great record  as he has three fifties in his last four innings vs South Africa in South Africa. However, it was not enough as Babar has averaged just 16 since his fifty-plus score vs New Zealand in December 2022.

Why This Fifty-Plus Score Is Important For Babar Azam?

The fifty has come at a very right time for Babar Azam as he was under the scanner for string of low scores. He was also touted to be ousted from the playing XI, which he has experienced before against home Tests vs England, where the PCB dropped him because of his poor run with the bat.