LAHORE: Four Pakistan batters scored impressive half-centuries to put the home side in a good position against the reigning ICC World Test Championship champions South Africa, but Babar Azam remained the focus of the opening day’s play at the Gaddafi Stadium.

That is the brand value of the 30-year-old, who, nonetheless, continued to struggle with the bat. Despite a solid start, managed only a 48-ball 23 in Pakistan’s 313 for five.

A decent holiday crowd turned up at the home of Pakistan cricket, many carrying banners to show their affection for the local lad. So much so, they even cheered the dismissal of Pakistan captain Shan Masood as it brought Babar out to the middle at 163 for two after Pakistan had elected to bat first on a slow, turning track.

As is often the case, Babar was a slow starter. On the seventh delivery, it required technology to overturn a caught-behind decision, before he treated home fans to three delightful strokes. But technology again came into play — this time ending his stay — when an umpire’s not-out decision for leg before off Simon Harmer was successfully reviewed and overturned.

Babar’s dismissal quietened the crowd, but the social media went into overdrive. Fans, followers, and critics of the former captain flooded timelines with mixed reactions: some praised him for becoming the first Asian to complete 3,000 runs in the ICC World Test Championship, while others highlighted his 42nd dismissal against spinners, underlining his vulnerability to slow bowling.

No doubt when the sun sets and vloggers switch on their cameras, Babar will again be the main talking point. If anyone still doesn’t understand, it’s a pity — but the fact remains: Babar is a brand, and he sells. Whether followers of cricket love or hate him, they simply cannot ignore him.

While the PCB remains unfortunate in mishandling its own biggest brand — rather than nurturing him and creating an environment befitting one of the modern greats — self-employed social media experts continue to cash in, using his name to ensure the dollars keep rolling in.

Playing his first red-ball match since January, Babar looked composed, playing the spinners with confidence and keeping his bat firmly in front of his pads. But, as often happens on such surfaces, one delivery turned just enough to beat the bat. The initial appeal was turned down, but technology did what it’s meant to do — first time lucky, second time not.

Babar was back in the dressing room, much to the disappointment of his fans and the delight of those waiting to discuss the day’s play online.

While day one of the first Test brought another disappointment for Babar — his last Test hundred came 13 matches and more than 34 months ago — it was a highly satisfying day for Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, and Salman Ali Agha.

Imam, playing his first Test since the 2023 Boxing Day match in Australia, was unfortunate not to convert a well-constructed innings into a century, falling seven short. His 153-ball 93, studded with seven fours and a six, was measured and mature.

Shan Masood, who faced intense questioning about his form and place in the side in the pre-match press conference, responded with a 147-ball 76 featuring nine fours and a six. He began in T20 mode before adjusting gears to play a more composed Test innings.

Together, he and Imam added 161 runs for the second wicket, laying the foundation for a strong total. Like Imam, Shan too benefited from a dropped catch off Prenelan Subrayen.

Pakistan stumbled from 199 for two to 199 for five in the space of 15 balls, losing three wickets without a run, before Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha steadied the innings. The pair added an unbroken 114-run stand for the sixth wicket to guide Pakistan safely to stumps at 313 for five.

Rizwan, who had a useful outing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy recently, struck two fours and two sixes in his 107-ball 62, while Salman, ever busy at the crease, rotated the strike intelligently to return unbeaten on 52 from 83 balls with two fours and a six.

For South Africa, who fielded three spinners and a lone fast bowler in Kagiso Rabada, Senuran Muthusamy dismissed Imam and Saud Shakeel off successive balls, while Rabada removed Abdullah Shafique (2) and Harmer took the prized scalp of Babar Azam.

Scores in brief (day 1 of 5):

Pakistan (1st innings) – 313-5, 90 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 93, Shan Masood 76, Mohammad Rizwan 62 not out, Salman Ali Agha 52 not out, Babar Azam 23; Senuran Muthusamy 2-101).

To bat: Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan.

South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Prenelan Subrayen, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada.