After getting dropped/rested from Test squad at home against England last year, Babar Azam has made an emphatic return to red-ball cricket. Babar has been Pakistan's standout performer with the bat on South Africa tour. He has scored three consecutive half-centuries in the two-Test series. However, he was left frustrated by his dismissal towards the end of Day 3's play at Newlands, Cape Town. Babar failed to end his century drought and had to return to the pavillion after scoring 81 runs.
"I'm very disappointed with both innings. I started well, but didn't finish well," Babar said after Day 3's play as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. "If you settle, you must go much bigger. That is why I was a bit upset. There were just 15 minutes left."
After getting bowled out for 194, Babar opened the innings with captain Shan Masood in the absence of an injured Saim Ayub. They shared a 205-run stand, the highest by an opening pair in Test cricket history while following on. It was in the 47th over of Pakistan's second innings, Babar played a cover drive and all he could manage was thick edge which carried to slip fielder David Bedingham. Babar said that the pitch is good to bat but there are a few rough patches which left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj can exploit on Day 4.
"The conditions here are different from Centurion," Babar said. "When you come to South Africa, you don't expect that [the pitch will be so flat]. With the new ball, it was a bit challenging, but once you settled down and built a partnership, it became easier. But there are some rough patches; you saw a couple of overs from Maharaj to Shan which got some turn and bounce. So the spinner is a bit of a challenge for the batter. But against the fast bowler, if you're settled, just play your normal game."
Babar opens up on tough time
Babar also opened up on his rough patch which led to him getting rested for the two Tests against Ben Stokes' England. While he could not end the century drought, he is thankful that he was able to spend some time on the pitch and get back into the groove.
"Things change in life all the time.I learned a lot during this time [of poor form] when what I wanted to do I wasn't able to do, and when I couldn't do the things that people expected of me. I just kept telling myself to stay calm, and believe that my ability and hard work would be vindicated, and to try and enjoy myself. But what was really important was to spend some time on the pitch, and thankfully [that has happened this series]," the 30-year-old further added.
Pakistan were 213/1 after the Day 3's play. Nightwatchman Khurran Shahzad scored eight runs from 14 balls. Skipper Masood remained unbeaten for 102 off 166 balls. Pakistan still need to get rid of a 208-run trail.