South Africa finish Day 1 of first Test at 127/5 in response to Pakistan's total of 181

[Arham_PakFan]

Babar has a new fan today.

 

[Rana]

Brucy didnt want to raise those arms for the six! Pathetic umpiring

 

[Junaids]

I’ve been saying for months that Hasan Ali needs to work on his batting.

There are 36 overs until the new ball. If he could keep Babar Azam company for 2 hours then Pakistan would be in a winning position.

He really needs to practise his batting!

 

[Usman Chadda]

Babar Azam is world-class. Please stop comparing him with rubbish upcoming players. You can't do this to Steyn unless you are damn good

 

[hussain.r97]

Number 4 really

Asad should be back to his best position at number 6

In the future, yes. But I think for this series it's best not to upset the order too much, Asad and Babar is a straight swap.

 

[Titan24]

Rather application - had he shown half of this, PAK could have won that NZ series 3-0!!!!

Totally and I think thats true for most of the Pak cricketers now a days, they dont apply themselves

 

[iPakistani]

Commentator says “This is batting of the highest quality, could be Kohli or AB De Villiers”. Babar Azam is unbelievable.

 

[Rana]

Red faced. This is for laughing at Hafeez!

 

[Madplayer]

Wowwwwww master class from Babar. Another 4 against Steyn.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

What a glorious shot down the ground.

 

[Asif321]

What a knock
Hassan doing good job

 

[ExpressPacer]

Babar has taken Steyn apart.

 

[babajee]

What the hell is this

 

[QalandarFan]

Batting masterclass at the moment from Babar. Reminding me of Viv’s 189 against england when Viv put on huge stand with Micheal Holding and put WI in a winning position!

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Listening to Mark Nicholas is an unadulterated joy.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Absolute masterclass by Babar.

A new batting hero has emerged.

Steyn getting murdered.

 

[shah_1]

Damn man

 

[Titan24]

One of the best innings i have seen in recent times.

 

[iPakistani]

That straight drive! I’ve given up, I’ve ran out of superlatives to describe this man.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Where are Babar haters now!? He is proving he is up there with all kohlis smiths and kws

 

[ExpressPacer]

Yet another four. I actually feel sorry for Steyn.

 

[Madplayer]

Oh My God another 4. My word my word.

 

[hussain.r97]

This is legendary stuff.

 

[Asif321]

Steyn getting thrashed by bobby

 

[Chief Destroyer]

What a batsman, mashaAllah. Lol, I'm Babar's biggest fan and even I'm in awe.

 

[Zeshan547]

in 2nd test if we common sense prevail we play this combo in ul this order and hoping all players are fine by then we will stand very good chance to win , Azhar, Shan, Harris, Babar, Fakhar, Shafiq, Sarfraz (ideally Rizwan but that's not happening) Shadab, Hassan, Abbas and Shaheed/Amir,,, if it's totally green pitch faheem for Shadab,, Only if our management was as much intelligent as us keyboards warriors,,,

 

[QalandarFan]

Listening to Mark Nicholas is an unadulterated joy.

Brings back memories of classic test matches!

 

[Markhor]

Ohh this is fabulous stuff.

 

[Titan24]

Commentator says “This is batting of the highest quality, could be Kohli or AB De Villiers”. Babar Azam is unbelievable.

Yes

 

[Rana]

End game on here by Babar. Steyn will really be considering his future tonight

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Babar is looking to be batting on a different pitch altogether.

 

[Madplayer]

Steyn in depression.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Steyn who?! )

 

[IMMY69]

No.

The whole point is that you can bat like this in South Africa in overs 30-80.

Stick him up to Number 4 and he’ll be lost at 40-3 in the 15th over.

I know you’ve watched s lot of cricket and are a similar age to me but what you’re saying is not entirely correct.

I good batsmen does not loose himself st 40 for 3. They bat until it becomes easier.
That’s not to say that a decent batter at 6 is not required.
But someone will the class of Barbar should be able to do it from number 4... that would be the difference between 150 for 8 and 190 for 5

 

[shariqnoor]

Safe to say, Babar has completely owned Steyn here. Beautiful batting. Travesty that he has to bat at 6 with the tail.

 

[Gullycricket]

Shottttt Sir.

 

[Asif321]

We are in good position now somehow get 200

 

[QalandarFan]

This is so good to watch...

 

[letme alone]

All negatives aside. I think now atleast they are playing as a team, tailenders are trying their best and not throwing it away and Babar is giving his best for the team.

good post again, real happy with hassan sporting baber with not slogging blindingly.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Babar is Pakistan's Mr. 360. He plays all over the park.

 

[Titan24]

Commentator saying “never seen Steyn treated like this”

 

[mak36]

[MENTION=142670]mak36[/MENTION] got 'im.

Exactly as you said. Glad Hasan engaged his brain and got his eye in before going for it. Needs to hang around for Babar.

 

[Madplayer]

Steyn might retire after this innings.

Last 17 balls from Steyn to Babar,10 fours. Wowwwww

 

[Mueez]

Wonder where a specific person is?

 

[Arham_PakFan]

10 boundaries off Steyn )

Four in this over )

 

[ARK Rafay]

I have never seen any Pakistani batsman owning Steyn and South African conditions like this.

No words bobby

 

[Rana]

Mourinho and Dale Steyn. Two of the biggest examples of things coming back to bite them

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

We were comparing kl rahul with this guy.
Babar wins easily.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Babar is the best! He has arrived

 

[babajee]

Tobah tobah Babar ko nazar na lagey

 

[QalandarFan]

When is the last time Steyn has been treated like this? )

 

[Asif321]

If bobby gets 100 this will be one of greatest innings

 

[ExpressPacer]

I really don't want Steyn to retire but I'm scared he's going to consider it tonight.

 

[Markhor]

Is this real ?!

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

After a long long time a Pakistani batsman making a statement. So good to see.

 

[Pakprideuk]

This is phainty

 

[Shandarchowka]

God this is ownage... Godly drives those.. Bringing tears to my eyes

 

[QuickCrick]

This outfield is very quick

 

[Rana]

Babar loving it!

 

[Gullycricket]

Babar has come of Age.Aaj se no critisicm ever for Babar

 

[Nado_]

According to him, pressure innings are only when everyone is scoring .

No, it’s hard to explain my point, anyway forget it because this is still one of the best entertaining innings I’ve seen from a Pak batsman and a masterclass on how to play with the tail.

 

[Markhor]

Listening to Mark Nicholas is an unadulterated joy.

Yep, can trust him to do justice to an innings like this unlike any Pakistani commentator.

 

[Shafi]

Does age catch up with Steyn?

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

When is the last time Steyn has been treated like this? )

Judging from The kind of character steyn is he will try to take revenge.

 

[QalandarFan]

Finally things going our way!

 

[MMHS]

I’ve been saying for months that Hasan Ali needs to work on his batting.

There are 36 overs until the new ball. If he could keep Babar Azam company for 2 hours then Pakistan would be in a winning position.

He really needs to practise his batting!

This is exactly what I agree Pick bowlers on bowling merit and work on their defense, so that an average of 10-12 can improve to 18-19, may be even 23-25. It's easier that way, rather than trying to bring Anwar Ali's bowling average of 58 (probable) to even 35 level.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Babar has just made Steyn retire here,, hafeez is proud

 

[Rana]

I really don't want Steyn to retire but I'm scared he's going to consider it tonight.

Hundred percent.

 

[coy0607]

never seen Babar bat like this!

going from very good to great

 

[letme alone]

Sharam kar Sarfaraz.Even Hasan is better bat than him

only batting is not only one thing. just enjoy the match.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Wow we might actually reach 200,Hasan doing his part.

 

[Rana]

Hassan replicating Babar.

our modern players!

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Lol RSA on backfoot now.

 

[Seen Sheen]

We know how it turned out last time Mark Nicholas rated a rookie Pakistani batsman exactly 8 years ago (8 years minus 2 days to be precise)..So Mark, keep calm and just enjoy this little effort of Babar in a reticent manner.

 

[MMHS]

Babar must have got a new fan today - Mohammad Hafeez!!!!!

 

[ExpressPacer]

Just to make things clear here, Steyn is still bowling at pace and is never going to lose his swing, even if he's 80 years old. A fast bowler never forgets his tricks, even if the body gives up. This was just quality batting from Babar.

 

[mak36]

Listening to Mark Nicholas is an unadulterated joy.

Such an underrated commentator.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Babar gone

 

[Saurav]

Out

Damn wanted a hundred

 

[Shandarchowka]

And I'm just thinking about those who compare Babar with cheap ipl products