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Babar Azam was caught for a four-ball duck by Andile Simelane on the third ball of the third over of the 184-run chase, which was bowled by Kwena Maphaka.
Babar Azam failed to open his account in the first T20I. (Picture Credit: Screengrab)
Indian Premier League side Rajasthan Royals was delighted to see South African pacer Kwena Maphaka’s lethal bowling in the T20I series opener against Pakistan on Tuesday, December 10. The South African pacer was impressive with the new ball and dismissed Babar Azam for a four-ball duck in his second over of the match. It was only the second international wicket for Maphaka, who made his T20I debut earlier this year during the West Indies tour. Rajasthan Royals congratulated the 18-year-old pacer on taking the big wicket of Babar.
The franchise dropped a post on X where the former Pakistan captain appeared to be quite frustrated on his way to the dugout. In another picture, Maphaka could be seen calmly celebrating the wicket while stretching his hands. Later in the innings, the left-arm speedster also accounted for the dismissal of Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 74 runs from 62 balls.
Maphaka is set to represent Rajasthan in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Jaipur-based franchise secured his signature for Rs 1.50 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah. Maphaka made his T20I debut against the West Indies earlier this year. It made Maphaka the youngest cricketer to play for the South African senior national team. He featured in all three matches of the series and picked one wicket.
Maphaka seems desperate to secure a permanent spot in South Africa’s T20I setup. He earned his maiden Test call-up earlier this month for the home series against Sri Lanka. The youngster was roped into the squad as a replacement for Gerald Coetzee, who was ruled out of the second Test due to a groin injury.
Maphaka, however, could not make it to the playing eleven. South Africa fielded a three-man pace attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Dane Paterson.
In the first T20I against Pakistan in Durban, Maphaka was a bit expensive. He bowled four overs and gave away 39 runs while claiming the wickets of Babar and Rizwan.
Kwena Maphaka rose to fame during the 2024 U19 World Cup. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 21 scalps. In IPL 2024, Maphaka was part of the Mumbai Indians and played two matches.
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