Former Pakistan cricket team captain, Babar Azam, is experiencing a challenging phase in his Test career. His difficulties were highlighted during the second Test against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Day 4. Babar was dismissed by young pacer Nahid Rana as he departed after managing just 11 runs. He has now gone 16 Test innings with a 50-plus score in the longest format. Let's decode his lean patch in Tests.
Babar's latest dismissal occurred in the 19th over of the innings when he was caught by Shadman Islam at first slip off Rana's delivery. He had scored only 11 runs from 18 balls, leaving Pakistan in a difficult position with half their side dismissed for just 65 runs. 0, 22, and 31 read his preceding scores in the series.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Babar's scoring woes have extended to a half-century drought in 16 Test innings. His last score above 50 was a commendable 161 against New Zealand in December 2022. In the recent two-Test series against Bangladesh, he managed just 64 runs. This marks his third consecutive Test series without crossing the 50-run mark, following Pakistan's tours of Sri Lanka and Australia.
It must be noted that Babar had a forgettable time in Tests in 2023 as well. According to ESPNcricinfo, he featured in five Tests last year and could only manage 202 runs at 22.66. Interestingly, he clobbered 1,184 runs at a brilliant average of 69.64 in Tests in 2022. Coming to his overall numbers since 2023, he has scored 317 runs across 15 innings at 21.13. His highest score in this period reads 41.
Despite Azam's struggles, his teammate Agha Salman defended him during a press conference. Salman described Azam as a "world-class player" and expressed confidence that he would soon return to scoring big runs for Pakistan. He emphasized that every cricketer goes through challenging phases and urged focus on the team's other players as well.
Babar has now raced to 3,962 runs across 54 Tests, averaging 44.51. He has clubbed nine hundreds and 26 fifties. As per ESPNcricinfo, Babar has compiled 1,555 runs at home at 62.20. He has 1,880 and 527 runs at away and neutral venues, averaging 36.86 and 40.53, respectively. Meanwhile, 306 of his runs have come against Bangladesh at 43.71.
Babar's lean patch: A closer look
While Babar's recent struggles have been widely discussed, it's worth noting that he's not the only player in the Pakistan team to be experiencing a dip in form. The team has been on a losing streak in Test cricket since 2021, with their recent 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh serving as a stark reminder of their current predicament.
However, The pressure on Babar as Pakistan's top batter is undeniable. He is expected to be the backbone of the batting line-up, and his failure to deliver consistently has put a strain on the team's performance. Despite his poor form, it's important to remember that Babar is a highly skilled and experienced batsman. He has shown his ability to score runs at the highest level, and it's only a matter of time before he finds his groove again. It's crucial for the Pakistan team management to provide him with the support and guidance he needs to regain his confidence and get back to his best.
Looking ahead
The pressure on Babar Azam is likely to intensify in the coming months, as Pakistan prepare for a busy schedule of international matches. He'll need to find a way to turn his fortunes around if he wants to retain his place in the team and continue to be a leading figure in Pakistan cricket. The team's performance in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka will be a crucial indicator of their progress and Babar's ability to overcome his recent struggles.
As the cricketing world continues to watch Babar's journey with bated breath, one thing is clear: He is a player of immense talent and determination, and it would be unwise to write him off just yet. With the right support and a renewed focus, he could very well return to his former glory and once again become a formidable force in international cricket.
