Pakistan’s much-awaited Test series against South Africa gets underway today, December 26th, as star batsman Babar Azam returns to grab the headlines. Azam hasn’t played red-ball cricket since two months ago, so he is all set to regain his middle-order place with a lot of experience and exceptional talent.
This return comes after Azam was rested during Pakistan’s home Test series against England as he went through a bit of a form slump. But his consistent brilliance in white-ball cricket, where he is now just one run away from becoming the highest run-getter in T20Is, has ensured that he finds himself in the list for the South Africa tour.
Shafiq Dropped, Abbas Makes a Long-Awaited Return
Azam’s inclusion comes at the expense of opener Abdullah Shafiq, who endured a forgettable ODI series against South Africa recently. Shafiq’s struggles with the bat in Tests this year, averaging a mere 15.81, further cemented the decision for a change.
Another big news is the return of veteran fast bowler Mohammad Abbas. Abbas has been out of the national team for nearly three years, but his performances in domestic cricket have made him deserve a recall. His experience and swing bowling may be worth gold on South Africa’s pace-friendly pitches.
A Historic Milestone Awaits Babar Azam
While the focus remains on clinching the series victory against a power-play South African team, Babar Azam has a milestone more personally significant. On Sunday, he needs just three more runs to become the first Pakistan batsman to be ranked with the rare, all-format feat of crossing the 4,000th milestone in Tests, reaching the 5,000 milestone mark in ODIs and breaching the 2,000 milestone mark in T20Is. If the task is completed it’ll confirm his status in line with one of the legends in Pakistan cricket.
Tough Test Ahead for Pakistan in Centurion
Pakistan arrives in the series confident, given a 3-0 ODI whitewash against South Africa. The Proteas, however, are different at home. The opening test will take place from 26th to 30th December at the SuperSport Park, a place as old as time. It is then on to Cape Town from January 3rd to 7th.
The experience in the middle order from Azam, as well as the powerful bowling attack through Abbas’ return, definitely make a good chance of fight from Pakistan against South Africa. It seems that this two Test-match series between South Africa and Pakistan is really going to be a super hit. There is added thrill through Babar Azam’s return in the Test circuit to watch this excitingly poised-up match.
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