Babar Azam furious at South Africa pacer Wiaan Mulder after getting hit by wild throw, gets involved in verbal spat; watch viral video

Babar Azam furious at South Africa pacer Wiaan Mulder after getting hit by wild throw, gets involved in verbal spat; watch viral video
Babar Azam furious after getting hit by Wiaan Mulder's wild throw.

Highlights:

Babar Azam missed his century as he was dismissed for 81.

Babar had an altercation with Wiaan Mulder in the third session of Day 3.

Babar and Shan Masood made South Africa pacers toil hard in the middle in Cape Town.

Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has finally found his form with the bat in red-ball cricket. Babar scored his third consecutive fifty in the ongoing series against South Africa. On January 5, while following on in Cape Town Test, Babar and captain Shan Masood frustrated Proteas bowlers with their mammoth record-breaking opening partnership. In the 32nd over of the innings, Wiaan Mulder came up with a wild throw that hit Babar on the right leg. Babar was furious as he looked at Mulder who was heard saying on stump mic "You were out of the crease".

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreyne attempted a run out as Babar left the crease to confront the pacer. He attempted the run out similar to Alex Carey when he stunned Jonny Bairstow during the previous Ashes which created widespread controversy.

The on-field umpire tried to diffuse the situation. Babar also had a word with Aiden Markram. Masood tried to pacify Babar as well as the latter is seldom seen losing his cool while batting. 

On the next delivery, Babar pushed the ball through backward point and exchanged a smile with Mulder as he got to the other end.

Babar was eventually dismissed by left-arm pacer Marco Jansen in the 47th over He went for an expansive drive through covers and was caught by David Bedingham. He scored 81 runs from 124 balls including 10 fours.

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Babar, Masood script history in Cape Town

Babar and Masood shared a 205-run partnership, the highest opening stand by a pair while following on in Test cricket. This is also Pakistan's highest opening partnership against South Africa and second-highest for any wicket. The previous record for highest opening partnership while following on belonged to South African duo Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie. They shared a 204-run partnership against England in 2088 at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground.

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At the end of Day 3's play, Pakistan were 213/1. They are still trailing by 208 runs. Masood is batting on 102.

Babar's form 

Babar has scored three half-centuries on the trot. Last year, he was rested from the Test side amidst poor form during the series against England. However, his century drought continues. His last Test ton came against New Zealand in December 2022.