During​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, November 11, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi couldn’t stop singing Babar Azam’s praises after he pulled off a jaw-dropping catch. The spectacular catch was made in the 27th over of Sri Lanka’s chase and very quickly, it was one of the match’s highlights.

Haris Rauf was bowling to Sadeera Samarawickrama, who tried to drive a ball outside off-stump but edged it. The ball went at great speed to the right of the slip where Babar went for the full length, one hand in the air, and he caught the ball that was hardly there. The crowd went wild as Babar, who calmed the situation with his usual style, was celebrating the moment, while the commentators were calling it a “catch for the ages.” Just before that, Shaheen, who had nicely positioned the slip fielder, appreciated his teammate’s brilliance and said, “Babar’s catch was like ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Superman.”

Babar Azam’s batting woes continue despite fielding brilliance

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While Babar shone in the field, his batting struggles persisted. The star batter managed 29 off 51 balls with three boundaries before falling to Wanindu Hasaranga’s sharp googly. The leg-spinner’s delivery pitched outside off and spun sharply through the gate to rattle the top of off-stump, a dismissal that left Babar momentarily stunned.

Babar’s century drought also continued, extending to 83 innings across formats since his last hundred, which came against Nepal in the Asia Cup 2023. With this, he has now equalled Virat Kohli’s tally for the most innings without a century in international cricket.

Despite his dip in form with the bat, Babar’s spectacular catch reminded fans of his elite reflexes and commitment in the field — a moment that could very well rank among the best of 2025.