Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam has been experiencing a significant slump in form, raising concerns about his ability to lead the team to success. Despite his impressive record in domestic cricket, Babar has struggled to replicate his performances on the international stage.
Babar Azam, once hailed as Pakistan’s premier batter, continues to struggle with form, particularly in Test cricket. Despite being one of the top batsmen in the world between 2015 and 2022, with over 11,000 runs at an average above 50, Babar’s recent performances have been underwhelming. His decline in form has coincided with Pakistan’s struggles across all formats, including disappointing runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the T20 World Cup.
A reprieve, then fall for Babar Azam
In the recent Test match against Bangladesh, Babar Azam faced yet another setback. After being dropped on his first ball by Litton Das, Babar managed to settle briefly, scoring 22 runs off 50 balls.
However, his innings was cut short by a delivery from Nahid Rana, resulting in another failure for the star batsman. The dismissal was a significant blow to Pakistan, as Babar is considered their most reliable player.
In the first innings, Babar Azam was out on a duck.
Home Advantage Not Enough
While Babar Azam has historically excelled on home soil, his recent performances suggest a troubling trend. He has the highest home average among players who debuted since 1990, with an impressive 67.77.
However, his away average of 36.86 is less flattering, highlighting a significant disparity in his performances depending on the venue. This inconsistency is further reflected in his World Test Championship (WTC) stats, where his home-away average difference stands at 24.33.
Babar Azam struggles
Babar’s struggles are not new. His last Test duck before this series occurred in 2021, and although he has scored four centuries since then, they were largely on home soil.
He has now gone 14 innings without a fifty, a concerning drought for a player of his calibre. The disparity between his home and away performances raises questions about his ability to lead Pakistan’s batting line-up in challenging conditions.
The Road Ahead for Pakistan and Babar
Babar Azam will need to rediscover his form and confidence to help Pakistan regain their winning ways. It will be crucial for him to work on his technique and mental approach to the game. With the support of his team and coaching staff, Babar can overcome this challenging period and return to his best form.
