Abdullah Shafique attacks Babar Azam and sparks ugly fight midway through 2nd Pakistan-South Africa Test
Pakistani Test opener Abdullah Shafique finally opened up to Pakistani fans cheering loudly once he got out in the second Test, as Babar Azam, the veteran cricketer, was set to take the field next. He seemed visibly affected by the strange reactions from Pakistan fans, but he again acknowledged that Babar had earned that respect for himself.
Pakistan have made a commendable start to their red-ball campaign in this WTC cycle. After never finishing even in the top 4 in the WTC points table, Pakistan started this WTC on a formidable note, winning the first match against defending champions South Africa.
Pakistan have moved up the ranks and are second in the points table, only behind Australia, who also have a PCT of 100 and are on 36 points since winning the first three matches of their campaign. Pakistan is followed by Sri Lanka and India at number 1. 3 and 4.
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Abdullah Shafique receives the same cold farewell from the Pakistani crowd
Pakistan fans went crazy behind their star batter, Babar Azam, and went all the way to watch him play, despite the lack of such promising form shown by the veteran batter. Babar Azam is yet to score a half-century in this series; his highest score is 42 in the second innings of the first Test.
However, just like in the first Test, where Pakistan fans erupted into loud cheers to see Babar Azam coming after Shan Masood, the skipper was dismissed, after missing out on a meritorious century. The incident also followed in the second test.
Babar Azam’s supporters, or rather almost all the supporters present in the stands, stood up in joy when Abdullah Shafique, Pakistan’s opener, was dismissed, which marked Pakistan’s second wicket to fall, leading to Babar Azam’s arrival at number 1. 4. This was insulting to the players who have to face this humiliation of from the local public.
Abdullah Shafique opens up about his feelings after his hard work was neglected in the face of Babar Azam’s fame
Shafique, who contributed significantly with the bat, scored a convincing half-century and built a hundred partnerships alongside the skipper before being dismissed. However, ignoring the hard work of the center hitter, the Pakistani fans celebrated his wicket with great joy.
Babar Azam soon arrived on the field, but his stay was short-lived, being dismissed for just 16 runs in the first innings. During the post-innings break, Shafique was asked on the second day about his views on the incident.
“When you came out, the fans started clapping because Babar was coming. What did that do to you as a player?” » was asked the batter.
Abdullah Shafique replied: “Babar is a superstar and has a huge fan base, but personally I felt a bit strange. At the end of the day, it is the Pakistan team. Everyone should be supported. But Babar has earned that respect.”
Q: When you came out, the fans started clapping because Babar was coming. How did you feel as a player?
Abdullah: Babar is a superstar and has a huge fan base but personally I felt a bit strange. At the end of the day, it’s the Pakistan team. Everyone should be supported. But…pIc.twItter.com/qxWEIWBh4r
-Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) Ohctober 21, 2025
Keshav Maharaj takes 7 wickets, leading to collapse of Pakistan’s lower order
Pakistan were bowled out for 333, and South African spinner Keshav Maharaj supported the Proteas’ bowling innings with a splendid display, picking 7 wickets in the innings from the 9 wickets picked by the South African spinners.
After dismissing Babar Azam, Maharaj opened his wicket account and never looked back, dismissing skipper Masood on the first day. He picked all the wickets except Kagiso Rabada’s dismissal of wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan on the first day.
Maharaj picked 5 wickets in the first hour of play on the second day, as Pakistani fielders lost 5 wickets by just 17 runs. It also included the wickets of stopped batters Saud Shakeel and Salman Agha.
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