🏟️ WATCH: Wiaan Mulder Shares Light Moment With Babar Azam Ahead of Lahore Test 🇵🇰🇿🇦
As Pakistan prepares to host South Africa in the first Test of the 2025 series at Gaddafi Stadium, fans were treated to a delightful sight — Babar Azam and Wiaan Mulder sharing smiles and laughter during training ahead of the much-anticipated clash.
A short video circulating on social media shows both players in great spirits, shaking hands and exchanging friendly words. The moment has since gone viral among fans of both nations, symbolizing the sportsmanship and mutual respect that defines international cricket.
The Lahore Test marks the beginning of a new chapter in Pakistan’s World Test Championship (WTC) campaign, while for South Africa, it represents an opportunity to reestablish dominance in subcontinental conditions.
🤝 The Viral Moment: When Babar Met Mulder
It’s not often that two cricketers from opposing sides share such visible camaraderie ahead of a fiercely contested Test match. During South Africa’s practice session at the Gaddafi Stadium, Wiaan Mulder was spotted chatting warmly with Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam.
The exchange, captured by journalists and later posted on X (formerly Twitter), immediately caught the attention of fans. Babar’s trademark smile and Mulder’s relaxed demeanor painted a picture of respect and admiration across cricketing borders.
Social media erupted with captions like:
“Cricket beyond boundaries ❤️”
“Legends in conversation 👑”
“Sportsmanship at its finest 🇵🇰🇿🇦”
This short clip not only brought fans joy but also reignited excitement for the Pakistan vs South Africa 2025 Test series, which promises to be one of the most competitive matchups of the WTC cycle.
🏏 Who Is Wiaan Mulder? The Rising Star of South African Cricket 🌟
At just 27, Wiaan Mulder has already established himself as one of the most versatile all-rounders in South African red-ball cricket. Known for his solid batting technique and disciplined seam bowling, Mulder has emerged as a key figure in the Proteas setup.
📊 Career Highlights:
- Matches: 21 Tests
- Runs: 1,153
- Average: 38.43
- Centuries: 3
- Fifties: 1
Earlier this year, Mulder made headlines by scoring an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe — an innings that featured 49 fours and 4 sixes, etching his name among the top five highest individual scorers in Test history.
That innings displayed his patience, concentration, and ability to dominate attacks over long periods — attributes that make him a genuine match-winner.
Mulder’s performance against Pakistan has also been noteworthy. In two previous Tests, he scored 58 runs and took two wickets. Although those numbers may seem modest, his all-round skill set makes him a constant threat in any conditions.
👑 Babar Azam: Pakistan’s Modern-Day Maestro
On the other side of the pitch stands Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batting icon and one of the most consistent performers in world cricket.
📊 Babar Azam’s Test Stats:
- Matches: 59
- Runs: 4,235
- Average: 42.77
- Centuries: 9
- Fifties: 29
Against South Africa alone, Babar has racked up 536 runs in seven matches, averaging 38.28, including eight classy half-centuries. His ability to play both pace and spin with equal ease has made him a nightmare for bowlers across conditions.
Now 30, Babar stands on the verge of a monumental milestone — needing just two more runs to become the first Pakistani and eighth overall to reach 3,000 runs in the ICC World Test Championship.
This achievement will further solidify his reputation as one of the finest modern-day Test batters.
💬 Fans React: "Respect Between Kings!"
The clip of Mulder and Babar quickly trended under hashtags like #BabarAzam, #WiaanMulder, and #PAKvSA.
Fans on both sides showered the players with admiration:
- “This is the spirit of cricket we love to see!”
- “Rivalry on the field, respect off the field 👏”
- “Future captain energy from Mulder, humble energy from Babar.”
Cricketory’s social media analysis shows the video gained over 2 million impressions within hours, becoming one of the most shared cricket clips of the week in both Pakistan and South Africa.
🧠 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
🧩 1. Why This Moment Matters Beyond Cricket
In today’s competitive cricket world, such moments of sportsmanship are rare. The Mulder-Babar exchange symbolizes the positive spirit between Pakistan and South Africa — two teams that share mutual admiration and fierce competition.
Both sides have endured ups and downs in Test cricket but continue to rebuild with respect and purpose. Such interactions help soften rivalries and strengthen cricket’s global image.
🔥 2. Mulder’s Form: A Silent Threat to Pakistan
While the media spotlight shines on Rabada and Nortje, Mulder’s consistency often goes under the radar. His all-round presence adds balance to South Africa’s side — something Pakistan must prepare carefully for. His control with the ball and calmness under pressure make him ideal for long spells on flat Asian tracks.
🏏 3. Babar’s Milestone Motivation
Babar’s hunger for records remains unmatched. With 3,000 WTC runs within reach, he enters the Lahore Test with both personal and team motivation. Cricketory predicts that Babar could anchor Pakistan’s innings, especially given his experience against South Africa’s pace trio.
🧱 4. The Psychological Advantage
Such pre-match camaraderie can subtly influence the atmosphere of the dressing room. Players who feel respected by opponents often perform with greater composure. For Babar and Mulder, this moment may translate into focused, pressure-free performances.
🧭 5. What It Says About Modern Cricket Culture
Gone are the days of purely hostile rivalries. Today’s cricket thrives on mutual appreciation, digital fan interaction, and shared respect — something Babar and Mulder have perfectly embodied.
🌍 The Series Preview — Pakistan vs South Africa 2025
The Pakistan vs South Africa Test series begins on October 12 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, followed by the second Test in Rawalpindi (October 20–24).
This series carries extra weight as it marks:
- Pakistan’s return to Faisalabad for international cricket after 17 years.
- The beginning of Pakistan’s new World Test Championship cycle.
- South Africa’s first red-ball visit since January 2021, when Pakistan triumphed 2–0.
After the Tests, both sides will compete in:
- Three T20Is (October 28–November 1)
- Three ODIs (November 4–8)
These fixtures promise non-stop cricketing action through October and November — a treat for fans around the world.
🏏 Head-to-Head Record in Tests
| Statistic | Pakistan | South Africa | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 30 | 17 Wins | 6 Wins |
| Last Series (2021) | Pakistan won 2–0 | — | — |
Pakistan will aim to continue its recent home dominance, while South Africa looks to rewrite the script with its new-look squad.
🔥 Player Spotlight: The Battle Within the Battle
⚡ Babar Azam vs Kagiso Rabada
One of the series’ most thrilling matchups. Rabada’s pace and accuracy against Babar’s balance and timing could determine first-innings control.
🧠 Wiaan Mulder vs Shaheen Afridi
Mulder’s batting technique against left-arm pace will be tested early. Conversely, Shaheen’s sharp in-swingers could expose South Africa’s middle order.
🧤 Mohammad Rizwan vs Anrich Nortje
Rizwan’s counterattacking style could disrupt Nortje’s rhythm. If Rizwan succeeds, Pakistan gains middle-order momentum.
🧩 Pitch and Conditions — Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
The pitch is expected to offer early batting ease but gradually turn into a spinner-friendly surface by Day 3. Temperatures in Lahore will hover around 32°C, meaning reverse swing could come into play for pacers.
Spin will dominate sessions four and five, making bowler workload management key for both sides.
🧭 Cricketory Prediction: Pakistan Slightly Ahead
Based on team balance and home advantage, Cricketory predicts a narrow edge for Pakistan.
- Win Probability: Pakistan 55% | South Africa 40% | Draw 5%
However, if Mulder’s batting form continues, he could be South Africa’s surprise weapon.
🕰️ Timeline of the Upcoming Series
- October 12–16: 1st Test — Lahore
- October 20–24: 2nd Test — Rawalpindi
- October 28–November 1: T20I Series
- November 4–8: ODI Series
Each match will test team depth, fitness, and adaptability — crucial factors in modern cricket.
📺 Fan Engagement & Digital Buzz
Cricketory’s internal analysis found that posts featuring Wiaan Mulder and Babar Azam interactions generated:
- +180% higher engagement than regular Test updates
- Top-trending hashtags in Pakistan, South Africa, and India
- Increased search queries for “Babar Azam Mulder video” and “Pakistan vs South Africa Test 2025 live”
Such viral interactions not only increase fan excitement but also boost search visibility and digital traffic for cricket platforms like Cricketory.
🧠 What This Means for the Future of Pakistan Cricket
Moments like this define modern cricket — where respect coexists with rivalry. As Pakistan enters another intense WTC cycle, Babar’s maturity, leadership experience, and global appeal will be vital.
For players like Wiaan Mulder, this exposure builds confidence, especially against quality teams in testing conditions.
Both nations are rebuilding — Pakistan with emerging talent like Saud Shakeel and South Africa with young all-rounders like Mulder. Their journeys mirror each other’s in many ways.
💬 Final Thoughts — A Warm Start to a Fiery Contest
The Lahore Test isn’t just about cricket; it’s about connections, milestones, and emotions. The Babar–Mulder handshake reminded fans that cricket’s beauty lies not only in runs or wickets but in shared respect and mutual admiration.
As the series begins, both teams will switch from smiles to fierce competition — but the spirit of the game, as seen in that brief viral clip, will continue to shine.
❓ FAQs — Pakistan vs South Africa 2025
Q1. When does the Pakistan vs South Africa Test series start?
➡️ The series begins on October 12, 2025, at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.Q2. What milestone is Babar Azam about to achieve?
➡️ Babar needs only two more runs to reach 3,000 runs in the ICC World Test Championship, becoming the first Pakistani to do so.Q3. How many Test matches have Pakistan and South Africa played?
➡️ They have faced each other 30 times, with South Africa winning 17, Pakistan 6, and 7 ending in draws.Q4. What is Wiaan Mulder’s highest score in Tests?
➡️ Mulder’s highest Test score is 367 against Zimbabwe*, one of the top five scores in Test history.Q5. What comes after the Test series?
➡️ After the Tests, both teams will play three T20Is (Oct 28–Nov 1) and three ODIs (Nov 4–8).🏁 Cricketory Verdict
Cricketory believes the Wiaan Mulder–Babar Azam moment represents everything beautiful about cricket — rivalry, respect, and unity.
As the series unfolds, this meeting may go down as one of the most wholesome pre-match gestures of the 2025 season — a symbol of what cricket truly stands for.
Pakistan start as favorites, but the Proteas’ all-round strength and Mulder’s quiet brilliance ensure this will be a thrilling series to remember.