South Africa vs Pakistan: Fans upset with Sarfraz Ahmed after the skipper registered a pair

A dismal batting performance from the Pakistani contingent led by Sarfraz Ahmed saw the visitors complete both their batting innings inside two days. After getting bowled out for just 181 runs on Day 1, they conceded a pivotal 42-run lead to the Proteas, who banked on Temba Bavuma’s fifty to get that crucial advantage despite an early collapse.

Quinton de Kock too made a huge contribution, taking on the feisty Pakistani fast bowlers to collect 45 runs in just 53 balls. His innings came against the run of play but managed to get South Africa in a commanding position with three days remaining. They need 148 runs to win the Test and go 1-0 up in the 3-match series.

Pakistani fans across the globe were utterly unimpressed with their side’s batting rendition and took a dig specifically at skipper Sarfraz Ahmed. Sarfraz faced just six deliveries on aggregate and register a duck in both innings. After Duanne Olivier cleaned him up in the first innings, Kagiso Rabada got the better of him in the second innings.

Serious concerns raised by fans

Just like many other teams across the globe, the Pakistani batting lineup depends a bit too much on one or two individuals to do the scoring on difficult tracks outside Asia. Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq have been the flag-bearers outside home for Pakistan but the other batsmen have been way too inconsistent.

Although Babar Azam has promised a lot in recent years, his performance in the Tests has not been up to the mark. He did register a stunning fifty in the first innings but got gobsmacked in the second innings with an absolute peach from Kagiso Rabada for just six runs.

Skipper Sarfraz’s scores in the Test series against New Zealand, which was played in UAE, were terrible. He scored 2 & 3 in the first Test, 30* in second and 25 & 28 in the deciding game of the series. With his poor run continuing, the fans showed no mercy on the 2017 Champions Trophy winning captain.

Here is how the fans reacted:

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