Babar Azam’s Comeback Turns Nightmare as He Falls for Two-Ball Duck in T20I Against South Africa

After being left out of Pakistan’s T20I squad for the Asia Cup last month, Babar Azam was given a chance to re-establish himself ahead of the 2026 World Cup. But his long-awaited return went awry on Tuesday, as he was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the opening T20I against South Africa in Rawalpindi.

Playing his first T20I since December 2024 — also against the Proteas — Babar came in at No. 3 after Sahibzada Farhan’s dismissal late in the fifth over. The Rawalpindi crowd erupted as he walked to the crease, just nine runs shy of breaking Rohit Sharma’s all-time T20I run record of 4,231.

But in the next over, Corbin Bosch delivered a sharp length ball outside off. Attempting to flick across the line, Babar edged it straight to Reeza Hendricks at cover, leaving the packed stadium in stunned silence.

Broadcasters later showed the former Pakistan captain visibly dejected in the dressing room, realizing he had squandered an early chance to validate head coach Mike Hesson’s faith in him. Pakistan had recalled Babar at No. 3 after resting Fakhar Zaman ahead of next month’s ODI series against the same opposition.

The dismissal marked Babar’s eighth duck in T20Is — one more than Virat Kohli — placing him behind only Umar Akmal (10) and Saim Ayub (9) among Pakistani batters.

Earlier, South Africa posted 195, powered by Reeza Hendricks’ 60 off 40 balls and George Linde’s 36 off 22. Pakistan’s reply never took off, losing two wickets in the powerplay before collapsing to a 55-run defeat, handing the visitors a 1–0 lead in the series.