Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam joined the trend of using the “bail-switching” trick to secure wickets during the second day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. Babar Azam’s “bail-switching” trick worked for the Men in Green as South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was dismissed by Aamer Jamal.
The “bail-switching” trick, a superstitious tactic, has gained popularity among fielding sides in a bid to turn around fortunes. Virat Kohli and Stuart Broad have used it multiple times. Broad’s trick played a role in Marnus Labuschagne’s dismissal in the Oval Test during the 2023 Ashes series in England.
Mohammed Siraj had switched the bails in the Brisbane Test, and India got Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket. During the fourth Test match between India and Australia, Siraj switched the bails again. Just 11 balls later, Labuschagne’s batting partner Usman Khawaja mistimed a pull shot off Jasprit Bumrah.
Watch: Babar Azam’s Bail-Switch Does the Trick for Pakistan on Day 2
Babar Azam followed the trend of flipping the bails to inspire a wicket during the second day of the series opener. Pakistan was desperate to break the patient stand between Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram. Babar switched the bails, and just a few overs later, Aamer Jamal picked up the wicket of Bavuma.
Aamer bowled a ball that nipped away late, and Bavuma, who had been struggling with his foot movement, pushed at the ball poorly. Mohammad Rizwan completed a simple catch behind the stumps. Bavuma was out for 31 off 74 balls, with four boundaries. The hosts lost one more wicket before lunch.
Have a look at the incident right here:
Felt for it slightly when he could have left it, but Bavuma has helped set us up well for the day
Time for the other batters to play their part pic.twitter.com/AkydsRTuWf
— Werner (@Werries_) December 27, 2024
Babar Azam joins the trend of flipping bails to secure wickets 🙌
– Shortly after South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma losing his wicket to Aamer Jamal 👊#Cricket #SAvPAK #BabarAzam𓃵 #AamerJamal pic.twitter.com/BgSKZ55taB
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 27, 2024
The two-match Test series between South Africa and Pakistan began on December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl. Pakistan was dismissed for 211 runs on the opening day. Dane Paterson took five wickets and Corbin Bosch secured four wickets.
It’s a Great Feeling – Dane Paterson
Speaking before the second day’s play, Dane Paterson expressed his delight after taking his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket, calling it a special achievement. Reflecting on Babar’s dismissal, Paterson said that he adjusted his line and focused on hitting the deck rather than swinging the ball.
“Yeah, it’s a great feeling. Like I said, you might think, ‘Oh, it’s just one Test five-fer,’ but it’s actually my second, and that makes it even more special. I think I mentioned yesterday how special it feels. The spells from me and Bosch really helped put the team in a strong position, and now, hopefully, we can bat well today,” Dane Paterson.
“(On Ayub’s wicket) Yeah, it just nipped enough. I think the ball was doing a bit too much from over the wicket, so I decided to come around. From there, the deliveries were nipping in nicely.”
“(On Babar’s wicket) Yeah, I think I just pushed a wide one there. But then again, the lines we were bowling were a bit straighter, and that one just nipped away late. In the first session, I think I initially tried to swing the ball, but then I realized I predominantly needed to focus on hitting the deck.”
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