18-year-old South Africa national cricket team player, Kwena Mafaka, is living his dream in the ongoing second Test against the Pakistan national cricket team. The final match of the two-match series between the two teams will be played at Newlands in Cape Town.
Kwena Mafaka, who made his debut for the South Africa national cricket team, has been bowling very well in the ongoing game. The young pacer bowled some tough overs and lengths and troubled the Pakistan national cricket team bowlers with his bowling in the match.
Kwena Maphaka was consistently bowling at 140kmph in the second Test against Pakistan
Maphaka, with the way he was playing, it's fair to say it was only a matter of time before he got his first Test wicket. The young fast bowler could not have asked for a better start to his career as he displaced Pakistan National Cricket Team batsman Babar Azam to take his first wicket in the format.
Mavaka, who has been bowling at 140kmph consistently, bowled a long, inward-slanting ball from outside leg stump that also stayed a bit low. Babar Azam glanced over but only managed to scratch her from behind. Bouncer Verreynne dipped low to gobble it up to give the youngster his first wicket.
Although it was not a successful ball, Kwena Mafaka was completely torn as he came out celebrating with a bright smile on his face. Almost every player in the South African national cricket team applauded him and the crowd also stood tall to applaud him as he took the wicket.
Watch: Kwena Maphaka removes Babar Azam to take his first Test wicket
Here is the video:
It's encouraging to see 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka get his first Test wicket on debut. His first Test scalp was that of the dangerous Pakistani batsman Babar Azam. pic.twitter.com/kAwpIl6e1k
β Ratumbo πΏπ¦ (@stoneman_o) January 5, 2025
With the wicket of Babar Azam, Kwena Maphaka became the youngest player from the South African national cricket team ever to take a Test wicket. The young player has now also captained the Pakistan national cricket team in all three formats of the game in his young career.
T20I β
Audi β
Test βAt 18, Kwena Maphaka has now been dismissed by Babar Azam in all formats#SAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/s5CkE8rDRh
– πΊπππππ (@Shebas_10dulkar) January 5, 2025
Babar Azam returned to the hut after playing 58 innings off 127 balls
Babar Azam looked fit with the bat in the ongoing Test. The right-hander was ready for the big ton but got an unfortunate dismissal. The former Pakistan national cricket team captain slammed the second half-century of the series and announced his arrival in style.
Babar Azam returned to the hut after playing 58 runs off 127 balls with the help of 7 boundaries. With Saim Ayub ruled out, the batsman was asked to open the innings for the team, and he did a great job for his team, but the right-hander hardly got any support from the other end.
Wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan looked to be the only consistent batsman apart from Babar Azam. He scored 46 points but couldn't continue. The Pakistan national cricket team has been left reeling at 155/6 and with the way they are batting, there are high chances of getting a follow-on.
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