Watch: Pakistan Fans Cheer For Their Own Captain's Wicket, Pundit Explains Why

Pakistan fans at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday (October 12) celebrated the wicket of the home captain, Shan Masood, on the opening day of the first Test against South Africa in an unbelievable sight for the sport.

It caught the overseas commentator, South Africa great Shaun Pollock, and visiting spinner Simon Harmer by surprise, too. Earlier, when Masood was dropped off Harmer’s bowling, some fans were seen putting their hands on their head in disappointment.

However, as commentator Bazid Khan explained to Pollock on air, the crowd’s reaction had nothing to do with Masood or his excellent 76-run effort in a solid 161-run partnership with Imam-ul-Haq (93).

Instead, it was all about who was next to come out to bat, Babar Azam. As soon as Masood

was adjudged LBW to spinner Prenelan Subrayen, and the DRS confirmed the on-field call, sections of the stands erupted in delight. Some rushed to the fore to catch a sight of the former captain and a local hero they love so dearly.

Shan Masood gone and you know what crowd were cheering Shan Masood out because Babar Azam was supposed to come#PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/RhpupKOmtd

— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) October 12, 2025

Shaun Pollock: Baz,They Are Pakistan Supporters Why Are They Disappointed (On Catch Drop) ?

Bazid Khan: I Think You Haven’t Seen The Scorecard,Who’s Coming Next.

Pollock: Now I Understand.

Insane Aura Babar Man Insane Aura pic.twitter.com/qxZxkmssB3

— Alyan 🇵🇰 (@32ndwhenn) October 12, 2025

“The most important thing is we know Babar is a great player. So his wicket outweighs all the noise or public perception of him. I was quite surprised when Shan got out, and how excited the crowd was that he was out because that meant Babar was coming to the wicket. We had a good chuckle at that,” Harmer said in the post-day press conference.

In India, MS Dhoni gets similar treatment in Chennai, his adopted home, when he comes out to bat for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)’s matches in the IPL.

Unfortunately for the Lahori fans, though, the right-hander’s stay was short-lived, falling for 23 after tea. Several fans were seen leaving the ground immediately after he got out, giving the already half-full stadium a sorry look.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had opened three to four enclosures for free entry to boost attendance, and while the initiative did attract a decent turnout, large sections of the stadium remained empty.

Pakistani fans must be longing to see their biggest superstar of this era get a good score at home. Since the start of 2023, the right-hander has averaged 16.76 in Tests in Pakistan — the worst for all international batters who have scored at least 200 runs and faced more than 300 balls in this time.