Babar Azam opens up after first win as Test captain

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has opened up after his first win as Test captain, which came against South Africa in Karachi.

Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali took five for 35 on debut to brush aside the South African tail in their second innings and see Pakistan to a comfortable seven-wicket victory on day four of the first Test on Friday.

The 34-year-old claimed the final four wickets to fall, taking his tally to seven in the test, as the tourists were dismissed for 245, which set Pakistan a modest victory target of 88.

“Credit goes to the players. The wicket was slow, and we had planned to bat first. But then we had to bowl first, we had to switch plans,” said Azam during the post-match presentation.

“At the toss I had said, partnerships will be key and then after Fawad and Azhar put on from 36/4, they showed their experience. It gave us a boost. Fawad's outstanding performance was good. After that Nauman and Yasir were outstanding. Fast bowlers contributed too, and it's a combination of everything that helped us win,” he added.

“South Africa are a quality team, and we planned for the slower track and the combination with Nauman as debutant. Debutants have pressure but he showed his experience. When partnerships were forming, him and Yasir broke them,” he further stated.

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The hosts had a wobble when Anrich Nortje removed two batsmen in one over, but skipper Babar Azam (30) and Azhar Ali (31 not out) eased their side to a comprehensive victory in a match in which fortunes fluctuated until a burst of wickets for Pakistan late on the third day turned the game in their favour.

The win helps Pakistan take an unassailable one-nil lead in the two-match series, with the second Test set to begin from February 4 in Rawalpindi.