Abdullah Shafique attacks Babar Azam, sparks ugly fight amid Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd Test
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Pakistan Test opener Abdullah Shafique finally opened up on the Pakistan fans cheering loudly once he got out during the second Test, since Babar Azam, the veteran cricketer, was about to take the field next. He seemed visibly affected by the strange reactions from the Pakistan fans, but he has again agreed that Babar has earned that respect for himself.
Pakistan have made a commendable start to their red-ball campaign in this WTC cycle. After never having finished even in the top 4 of the WTC points table, Pakistan started this WTC on a formidable note, winning the first match against defending champions South Africa.
Pakistan climbed the ladder and are seated in the second spot in the Points table, only behind Australia, which also has a PCT of 100 and have 36 points since they won the first three matches of their campaign. Pakistan is followed by Sri Lanka and India at no. 3 and 4.
Abdullah Shafique receives the same cold send-off by the Pakistan crowd
Pakistan fans have been crazy behind their star batter, Babar Azam, and have gone to any extent to watch him play, despite no such promising form shown by the veteran batter. Babar Azam has not yet scored a half-century in this series so far; his highest score is 42 in the second innings of the first Test.
However, much like the first Test, where the Pakistan fans burst into loud cheers to witness Babar Azam coming in after Shan Masood, the skipper was dismissed, having missed out on a deserving century. The incident followed in the second Test as well.
The Babar Azam fans, or rather, almost every fan present in the stands, went up in joy as Abdullah Shafique, the Pakistan opener, was dismissed, which marked the second Pakistan wicket to fall, leading to the arrival of Babar Azam at no. 4. This has been insulting for the players who have to face this humiliation from the home crowd.
Abdullah Shafique opens up about his feelings after his hard work is overlooked in front of Babar Azam's stardom
Shafique, who contributed significantly with the bat, scored a convincing half-century and built on a hundred partnership alongside the skipper before getting dismissed. However, ignoring the batter's hard work at the center, the Pakistani fans celebrated his wicket with great joy.
Babar Azam soon made it to the field, but his stay was short-lived, being dismissed for just 16 runs in the first innings. In the post-inning break, Shafique was questioned on Day 2 about his take on the incident.
"When you got out, the fans started cheering because Babar was coming in. How did that make you feel as a player?" the batter was asked.
Abdullah Shafique replied, "Babar is a superstar & has a huge fan base, but personally, I felt a bit strange. In the end, it’s Pakistan’s team. Everyone should be supported. But Babar has earned that respect."
Q: When you got out, the fans started cheering because Babar was coming in. How did that make you feel as a player?
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) October 21, 2025
Abdullah: Babar is a superstar & has a huge fan base but personally, I felt a bit strange. In the end, it’s Pakistan’s team. Everyone should be supported. But… pic.twitter.com/qxWElWBh4r
Keshav Maharaj takes 7 wickets, leading to the collapse of Pakistan's lower order
Pakistan were bowled out for 333, and South African spinner Keshav Maharaj backed the Proteas' bowling innings with a splendid show, picking 7 wickets in the innings among the 9 wickets picked by South African spinners.
Having dismissed Babar Azam, Maharaj opened his account of wickets and never looked back, dismissing the skipper Masood on Day 1. He picked all the wickets except for Kagiso Rabada's dismissal of the wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan on Day 1.
Maharaj picked 5 wickets within the first hour of play on Day 2, as Pakistan tailenders lost 5 wickets with just 17 runs. It also included the wickets of set batters Saud Shakeel and Salman Agha.
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Pakistan National Cricket Team Babar Azam Abdullah Shafique Shan Masood Pakistan vs South Africa South Africa tour of Pakistan ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Keshav Maharaj
