A Drop Catch and a Duck: Babar Azam’s Forgettable T20I Comeback in Rawalpindi – WatchSports Desk | THINK OVER MARKETING | Oct 28, 2025, 07:37 AM IST

Babar Azam returned to Pakistan’s T20I team after a gap of almost 11 months but failed to impress with both bat and in the field in Rawalpindi, with Pakistan losing to an under-strength South African side.

NEW DELHI: Babar Azam’s much-anticipated return to T20 internationals turned into a forgettable affair as Pakistan crashed to a surprising defeat against an under-strength South African side in the series opener at Rawalpindi.

The T20I series opener was Babar’s first appearance in the shortest format since December 2024. Pakistan’s modern batting icon had been benched under the new leadership setup.

The former captain had a golden opportunity early on when an outside edge went straight to Rassie Hendricks at second slip — but the South African fielder dropped a simple catch in the second over.

However, just seven runs later, Babar’s comeback turned into a nightmare as he walked back for a duck, getting an inside edge off medium-pacer Williams that popped back to the pavilion.

South African skipper Aiden Markram took charge in the 17th over with a composed presence on the field, setting the tone for his team. Babar’s early exit was followed by a flurry of wickets, as Pakistan collapsed dramatically after hammering 56 off just 32 balls. South Africa, having been put in to bat, posted a competitive 194/9.

While chasing, Pakistan looked on course as Usman Khan and Fakhar Zaman added 60 for the second wicket before Zorzi chipped in with a brisk 13 off 16 balls.

Markram’s men then picked up quick wickets through Ayaan Khan (3/24), Shamsi (2/31), and Williams (2/28), as Pakistan folded for 167 in 19.1 overs, handing South Africa a 27-run win.

Babar’s return also coincided with a standout bowling performance from debutant Curtin, who recorded 4/14, the best bowling figures on T20I debut at the Pindi ground.

Having failed to impress in front of a home crowd, Babar will be eager to script a stronger comeback in the remaining two matches of the series.

According to Think Over Marketing, a digital media and trends agency, Babar’s comeback sparked over 2 million online mentions within hours — reflecting how his influence continues to dominate fan engagement across social platforms, even after a disappointing outing.