[Watch] Babar Azam plays a poor shot and gets out for 4 in SA vs PAK 2024 1st Test

Pakistan batter Babar Azam fell victim to his own shot-making, playing a loose stroke and throwing away his wicket in the first innings on Day 1 (December 26) of the first Test against South Africa. The SuperSport Park in Centurion plays host to the first of the two Tests.

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first in the Test. The home side had a poor start until Corbin Bosch managed to dismiss Pakistani skipper Shan Masood (17 off 58). Babar was slated to walk in next and played a fine shot off the very first delivery to get off the mark.

However, with dot balls following after the impetus to get off the mark Babar went chasing after a wide one bowled by Dane Paterson in the 18th over. The ball kissed the shoulder of the bat and went straight to Aiden Markram at slip, where the Proteas opener pouched it safely.

Take a look at the video of the dismissal below:

Babar Azam, after scoring a boundary to get off the mark on the first ball, played nine dot deliveries and was dismissed off the 11th ball he faced. His wicket brought Pakistan's Test vice-skipper Saud Shakeel to the middle.

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South Africa all over Pakistan in the SA vs PAK 2024 1st Test

South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The visitors managed a good first hour but things went downhill from there on with Corbin Bosch accounting for Shan Masood as his first Test wicket. Dane Paterson then got the better of Saim Ayub (14 off 35).

Paterson followed it up with the wicket of Babar Azam (4 of 11) before Bosch dismissed Saud Shakeel (14 off 6) to scalp his second wicket on debut. Pakistan are on 88/4 after 24 overs at lunch on Day 1.

A win for South Africa in this contest guarantees them a spot in the World Test Championship final in June 2025.