Pakistan stalwart Babar Azam and South Africa’s towering pacer Marco Jansen were seen in a brief but intriguing conversation during the second Test at Newlands. The moment came in the 121st over of the South African innings, just as Jansen walked in to bat after Kyle Verreynne’s dismissal. While no microphones caught the words exchanged, the interaction brought a rare smile to an otherwise intense encounter.
South Africa Dominate Pakistan with Record-Breaking Innings
By the time Jansen joined the crease, South Africa had already tightened their grip on the match. The Proteas racked up a monumental 566 for 7, marking their highest home total in four years. Ryan Rickelton led the charge with an extraordinary 259, missing out on surpassing Stephen Fleming’s iconic 262 at Newlands.
Kyle Verreynne, meanwhile, added flair to the innings with a sensational hundred, his fourth in Test cricket. The wicketkeeper-batter played with aggression and intent, smashing boundaries at will. His dismissal, attempting a slog sweep off Salman Ali Agha, did little to halt South Africa’s momentum.
Marco Jansen Finds Form with a Quickfire Fifty
Marco Jansen, who had struggled with the bat throughout 2024, found redemption on the first day of the new year. His blistering half-century came off just 42 balls, featuring six boundaries and three towering sixes. It was a display of raw power and timing, reminiscent of a seasoned all-rounder.
Initially cautious, Jansen took 11 balls to get off the mark. But once he settled, he unleashed a flurry of shots. Two fours and a six off Khurram Shahzad in quick succession brought up the fifty-run stand with Rickelton in just 46 balls. Jansen’s knock was a statement, a reminder of his untapped potential with the bat.
Rickelton’s Double Century: A Knock to Remember
Earlier in the day, Ryan Rickelton became the first South African batter in eight years to score a Test double century. Resuming the day on 176, he continued his disciplined approach, blending caution with calculated aggression.
His milestone moment came with a sweetly timed punch through the off side. The celebration was understated, but the achievement was monumental. Rickelton’s innings nearly doubled his Test career tally, underlining his importance to South Africa’s middle order.
Sunil Gavaskar Slams Double Standards Over Pitch Criticism After 15 Wickets Fall at SCG
Pakistan’s Struggles Continue on a Flat Pitch
Despite their efforts, Pakistan’s bowlers found little joy on a pitch that had flattened out. Mohammad Abbas provided a glimmer of hope with an early wicket, luring David Bedingham into a false stroke. But the joy was short-lived as Rickelton and Verreynne piled on the runs.
Verreynne’s aggressive approach brought the crowd to its feet multiple times. His audacious hooks and reverse sweeps left Pakistan searching for answers. Even when Shan Masood brought fielders in close, Verreynne found gaps with surgical precision.
A Test Match of Milestones
The second session turned into a milestone-marking exercise. Verreynne’s century, Rickelton’s double ton, and Jansen’s half-century all made it a day to remember for South African fans. By tea, Pakistan’s hopes of staging a comeback had all but evaporated.
Salman Ali Agha finally managed to dismiss Rickelton, who top-edged a delivery to long-on. Abbas held on to the catch, providing a brief respite for the visitors. But by then, the damage had been done.
What Did Babar and Jansen Talk About?
The brief interaction between Babar Azam and Marco Jansen remains a mystery. In the heat of a competitive game, such moments of camaraderie are rare. Was it a light-hearted exchange or a bit of friendly banter? We may never know, but it’s these fleeting moments that add charm to the game.
For Pakistan, however, there was little to smile about as South Africa stamped their authority in Cape Town.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
