While speaking about the Pakistan veteran batter Babar Azam, former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock mistakenly referred to the Pakistan captain Shan Masood as the ‘captain of India.’
Pakistan are hosting South Africa for a two-match Test series at home, with the first match in Lahore beginning today. The veteran Pakistani cricketers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have returned to play for Pakistan.
The excitement around Babar Azam reached its peak on Day 1 of the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium. Even the former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock was found in the middle of the euphoria.
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Shaun Pollock calls out Shan Masood as the ‘captain of India’
The crowd at the Gaddafi Stadium had to wait quite a bit before they could catch a glimpse of Babar Azam, as after the first wicket fell, Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq put on a breathtaking 161-run partnership for the second wicket.
However, the wait had ended as Masood (76) was dismissed by Prenelan Subrayen in the 48th over of the game, which brought Babar to the crease. As soon as the wicket fell, the crowd erupted in huge chants of ‘Babar, Babar.’
Even before Masood’s wicket had actually fallen, the Pakistan home crowd erupted whenever there were appeals made by South African bowlers. This was what threw the former South African skipper into doubt. However, he too messed up, calling out Shan Masood as the “captain of India.”
Shaun Pollock
“I can’t believe that they (crowd) want the captain of Pakistan to get out just to see Babar Azam at the crease” 😭😭pic.twitter.com/qov8q8Fssq
— Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) October 12, 2025
“I can’t believe they would want Shan Masood, the captain of India, to be out just to get Babar to the crease. Think we need to have a word with these supporters,” said Pollock on air.
Pakistan supporters in Lahore come in with posters of ‘King Babar’
Babar Azam returns to play for Pakistan after having missed out on the Asia Cup 2025, for the First Test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Several supporters at the Gaddafi Stadium came in holding posters of ‘King Babar’ as they waited for their star’s return.
This was the first time he was in action since he last played in international cricket in the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. Speaking of the First Test between Pakistan and South Africa, the hosts had won the toss and opted to bat first.
This game also marked the much-anticipated return of Mohammad Rizwan to the Pakistan side, as he had also missed the Asia Cup 2025. The series, though, marked the beginning of the Proteas’ new ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha make a promising return after Babar’s ugly upset
After Abdullah Shafique‘s dismissal for just 2 runs, Imam-ul-Haq and skipper Shan Masood stitched up a crucial 150+ run partnership for the second wicket. However, Masood as well as Imam-ul-Haq were dismissed in quick succession.
Babar Azam made his much-awaited return to the longest format of the game; however, he was dismissed for just 23 runs. As Pakistan crumbled again with 5 wickets in no time, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha contributed with a century partnership for the 6th wicket.
However, Pakistan has been rescued under grave circumstances by the two batters as they went past 300 runs in the first innings on Day 1 of the Lahore Test.
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