In a disappointing return to T20 International cricket, Babar Azam of Pakistan was dismissed for a duck against South Africa on October 28, 2025. This marked the end of his innings after just two balls, bringing further criticism to his form.
Babar Azam’s T20I Comeback
Babar, who hadn’t played a T20I since December 2024, rejoined the squad following Pakistan’s defeat in the 2025 Asia Cup final against India. His performance in this T20I match raised eyebrows, particularly after he came in at number three in Rawalpindi. The first ball he faced was a wide delivery, and the second resulted in a simple catch off Corbin Bosch.
Recent Performance Struggles
Babar Azam’s recent performances have been underwhelming across formats. He played in two Tests against South Africa prior to this T20 match, scoring 131 runs over four innings, with only one half-century. His overall T20I statistics reflect his talent but also his challenges:
- Total T20Is Played: 128
- Total Runs: 4,223
- Batting Average: 40
- Strike Rate: 129
- Centuries: 3
- Half-Centuries: 36
- Highest Score: 122
Significance of Jersey Color Change
In a symbolic gesture during the match, Pakistan wore pink jerseys instead of their traditional green. This initiative was aimed at raising awareness for breast cancer, supporting the Pink Ribbon Pakistan campaign. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed pride in leveraging cricket’s influence to promote significant social causes.
PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed emphasized the importance of using cricket as a platform to highlight societal issues, illustrating their commitment to meaningful initiatives.
