Pakistan fans started cheering loudly after Pakistan’s Test opener Abdullah Shafiq finally got out during the second Test as veteran cricketer Babar Azam was next to take the field. He seemed impressed by the strange reactions of the Pakistani fans, but again acknowledged 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 even finishing in the top 4 of the WTC points table, Pakistan made a great start to this WTC, winning the first match against defending champions South Africa.
Pakistan climbed the ladder and are sitting second on the points table, only behind Australia, who also have a PCT of 100 and have 36 points after winning the first three matches of their campaign. After Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India are at second place. 3 and 4.
Abdullah Shafiq was given a similarly cold farewell by the Pakistani crowd.
Pakistan fans are crazy about their star batsman Babar Azam and have gone to any extent to see him play, despite the veteran batsman not showing great form. Babar Azam has not scored a single half-century in this series so far; His highest score is 42 runs in the second innings of the first test.
However, like the first Test, where Pakistan fans started cheering loudly after seeing Babar Azam coming in after Shan Masood, the captain was out, missing out on a century. This incident also happened in the second test.
As soon as Pakistan’s opener Abdullah Shafiq was out, Babar Azam’s fans or rather, almost every fan present in the stands jumped with joy, due to which Pakistan’s second wicket fell, due to which Babar Azam came at number. 4. It is insulting to the players who have to face this disrespect from the home crowd.
Abdullah Shafiq opens up about his feelings after Babar Azam’s hard work was ignored before he rose to stardom
Shafiq, who made important contributions with the bat, scored a brilliant half-century and shared a century partnership with the captain before being dismissed. However, Pakistani fans celebrated his wicket very happily, ignoring the hard work of the batsman at the centre.
Babar Azam soon came on the field, but his stay was short-lived and he was out for just 16 runs in the first innings. In the post-innings break, Shafiq was questioned about his opinion about the incident on the second day.
“When you got out, the fans started cheering because Babar was coming. How did you feel as a player?” The batsman was asked.
Abdullah Shafiq responded, “Babar is a superstar and has a lot of fans, but personally, I felt a little awkward. In the end, it’s the Pakistan team. Everyone should be supported. But Babar has earned that respect.”
Q: When you got out, the fans started cheering because Babar was coming. How did you feel as a player?
Abdullah: Babar is a superstar and has a huge fan following but personally I felt a little strange. After all, this is Pakistan team. Everyone should support. But… pic.twitter.com/qxWElWBh4r
– Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) 21 October 2025
Keshav Maharaj took 7 wickets, due to which Pakistan’s lower order collapsed.
Pakistan were all out for 333 and South African spinner Keshav Maharaj performed brilliantly to support the Proteas bowling innings, taking 7 wickets in the innings out of the 9 wickets taken by the South African spinners.
After dismissing Babar Azam, Maharaj opened his account of wickets and never looked back, dismissing captain Masood on the first day. He took all the wickets on the first day except the dismissal of wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan by Kagiso Rabada.
Maharaj took 5 wickets within the first hour of play on the second day, as Pakistan’s tail-enders lost 5 wickets for only 17 runs. This also included the wickets of set batsman Saud Shakeel and Salman Agha.
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