While talking about Pakistan’s legendary batsman Babar Azam, former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock mistakenly called Pakistan captain Shan Masood the ‘captain of India’.
Pakistan is hosting South Africa for a two-match Test series at home, with the first match starting today in Lahore. Veteran Pakistani cricketers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have returned to play for Pakistan.
The excitement around Babar Azam reached its peak on the first day of the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium. Even former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock was found in the midst of the excitement.
Shaun Pollock called Shan Masood ‘captain of India’
The crowd at the Gaddafi Stadium had to wait a long time to get a glimpse of Babar Azam, as after the fall of the first wicket, Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq stitched a breathtaking partnership of 161 runs for the second wicket.
However, the wait was over as Masood (76) was dismissed by Prenlan Subbryan in the 48th over of the game, leaving Babar at the crease. As soon as the wicket fell, the crowd started chanting ‘Babar, Babar’.
Even before Masood’s wicket fell, Pakistan’s home crowd went wild whenever the South African bowlers appealed. This is what put the former South African captain in doubt. However, he also messed up by calling Shan Masood the “captain of India”.
shaun pollack
“I can’t believe they (the crowd) want the Pakistan captain out just to see Babar Azam at the crease” pic.twitter.com/qov8q8Fssq
– Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) 12 October 2025
Pollock said on air, “I can’t believe they would want India captain Shan Masood out to bring Babar to the crease. I think we need to talk to these supporters.”
Pakistan supporters brought posters of ‘Raja Babar’ in Lahore
Babar Azam has returned to play for Pakistan after missing the first Test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in the Asia Cup 2025. Many supporters came to the Gaddafi stadium carrying posters of ‘King Babar’ and were waiting for the return of their star.
This was the first time he was in action since his last appearance in international cricket was a three-match ODI series against the West Indies. Talking about the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa, the host team won the toss and decided to bat first.
The game also marked the much-awaited return of Mohammad Rizwan to the Pakistan team, as he had also missed the Asia Cup 2025. However, this series marked the beginning of the Proteas’ new ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Aga made a promising comeback after Babar’s bad defeat.
After Abdullah Shafiq was out for just 2 runs, Imam-ul-Haq and captain Shan Masood made an important partnership of 150+ runs for the second wicket. However, Masood and Imam-ul-Haq were out in quick succession.
Babar Azam made his much-awaited comeback in the longest format of the game; However, he was out after scoring just 23 runs. As Pakistan collapsed again with 5 wickets in no time, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Aga contributed a century partnership for the sixth wicket.
However, Pakistan have been rescued by two batsmen in critical conditions as they crossed the 300-run mark in the first innings on the first day of the Lahore Test.
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