Rawalpindi, Pakistan – Babar Azam's return to T20I cricket proved to be a nightmare as he was dismissed for a two-ball duck against South Africa on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, triggering a wave of criticism and disappointment across social media platforms. The former captain, playing his first T20I since December 2024, walked in to bat at number 3 after Pakistan lost Sahibzada Farhan's wicket in the fifth over.
The Rawalpindi crowd, eager to witness Azam's comeback, was silenced when he was caught at covers off Corbin Bosch's bowling. Bosch bowled a back-of-a-length delivery on off, and Azam, in an attempt to go over the field, mistimed his shot, handing a simple catch to Reeza Hendricks. This early dismissal put immense pressure on the rest of the Pakistani batting lineup, which was already facing a stiff target of 195 runs set by South Africa.
The duck was not just a personal setback for Azam but also a blow to Pakistan's chances in the match. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, with many fans expressing their disappointment and questioning Azam's approach in the T20 format. Some pointed out his relatively slow strike rate compared to modern T20 standards, while others criticized his shot selection.
Before the match, there was much anticipation surrounding Azam potentially breaking Rohit Sharma's record of 4,231 runs in T20Is, as he needed just nine runs to surpass it. However, his dismissal meant he would have to wait until the second T20I to have another chance at achieving that milestone.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson had earlier emphasized the importance of Azam improving his strike rate and technique in the T20 format. Hesson's decision to bring Azam back into the T20I squad came after Fakhar Zaman opted to play first-class cricket. Hesson expressed confidence in Azam's ability to perform well at number 3, a position where he has a solid record, averaging 44.84.
Despite Azam's failure, Saim Ayub showed some resilience with a cameo, scoring 37 off 28 balls. However, South Africa's tight bowling and strategic attack on the stumps kept the pressure on the Pakistani batsmen. George Linde's impressive spell further dismantled Pakistan's middle order, making the chase increasingly difficult.
The match also marked the return of Usman Khan to the Pakistan XI. South Africa, led by Donovan Ferreira, were without key players like David Miller and Gerald Coetzee due to injuries. Quinton de Kock featured in a T20I for the first time since June 2024, adding experience to the South African side. Reeza Hendricks also contributed significantly, scoring a composed fifty.
