Pakistan are taking on South Africa in the first Test match of the two-match series in Lahore. It was the host's decision to bat first after winning the toss and it turned out to be a good one. They have already 313 runs at the loss of five wickets and it seems like the Men in Green have a long way to go.
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Babar Azam Surpasses Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal for a Massive Asian Record

Amidst all of these moments, the eyes were on Babar Azam, one of the best batsmen in the world. Babar was making a comeback in international cricket after a long time and his fans were expecting big things from him. While he didn't score big, he created a record that is a new milestone in Asian cricket.
Babar Azam Record: Pakistan Star Reaches New Milestone
Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam has become the first Asian batter to score more than 3000 runs in the World Test Championship (WTC). He entered the book of records despite being dismissed for just 23 runs in the match. Babar Azam Asian record comes at a time when he isn't in great form with the bat. This milestone will give him confidence for the upcoming matches.
Babar isn't the first batter to create the record. Before him, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Zak Crawley have already reached the milestone. Apart from Babar, Shubman Gill is another Asian who has yet to reach the 3000-run mark. He is currently on 2826 runs. Since he is in tremendous form, it is only a matter a time before he enters the book of records. Here is the list of players with more than 3000 runs in WTC:
Player | Team | Matches | Runs |
---|---|---|---|
Joe Root | England | 69 | 6080 |
Steve Smith | Australia | 55 | 4278 |
Marnus Labuschagne | Australia | 53 | 4225 |
Ben Stokes | England | 57 | 3616 |
Travis Head | Australia | 52 | 3300 |
Usman Khawaja | Australia | 43 | 3288 |
Zak Crawley | England | 52 | 3041 |
Babar Azam | Pakistan | 37* | 3003* |
Pakistan Shine With the Bat
Despite losing Abdullah Shafique on just two runs, Pakistan's batting line-up didn't stumble in the middle. Imam-ul-Haq (93), Shan Masood (76), Mohammad Rizwan (62), and Salman Agha (52) played well to help the team score 313 runs. However, Babar Azam PAK vs SA Test didn't go as planned as he was dismissed cheaply. South Africa's bowling didn't look strong as they struggled for most part of the day.
With two set batters in the crease and five wickets in hand, the Men in Green have a good chance of going past 400-450 runs, which will eventually become tricky for South Africa to score. For South Africa, Senuran Muthusamy claimed two wickets while Kagiso Rabada, Prenelan Subrayen, and Simon Harmer picked up one wicket each.
The game has just begun, so it will be interesting to see how both teams play in the upcoming days. Pakistan will be aiming to prove a point against one of the best cricket teams in the world. South Africa's batting will be put to test in the ongoing match as Pakistan possess a big spin threat in home conditions. Moreover, the series comes within the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle and South Africa are currently the defending champions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Tests will South Africa play in Pakistan.
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How many Tests will South Africa play in Pakistan.
South Africa are playing a two-match Test series in Pakistan.
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