Pakistan’s cricket icon, Babar Azam, has been through a challenging period in his career, and it seems that even his birthdays are not free from disappointment. On October 15, 2024, as he turned 30, Babar received news that once again broke his heart—he had been dropped from Pakistan’s playing XI, a bitter blow that mirrored last year’s heartbreak when Pakistan lost to India on his 29th birthday.
This recurring heartbreak has raised questions, with fans jokingly saying that there might be a flaw in Babar’s “kundli” (horoscope). But beyond the humor, there’s a serious look at Babar’s recent career struggles and the factors leading up to these difficult moments.
Babar Azam’s Second Consecutive Birthday Disappointment
For the second year in a row, Babar Azam is facing personal and professional disappointment on his birthday. Last year, on his 29th birthday, Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat to India during the ODI World Cup, a blow that visibly affected Babar’s morale. Now, a year later, he finds himself out of Pakistan’s playing XI on his milestone 30th birthday.
The last two years have not been kind to Babar, with his form dipping and his place in the team coming into question. These recent setbacks have put a spotlight on the once-reliable captain, who has seen his fortunes change dramatically.
A Look Back at Babar Azam’s Cricket Journey
Babar Azam’s journey in international cricket began in 2016, when he made his debut for Pakistan in the Test arena. He entered the team as a replacement for the legendary Younis Khan and quickly showed his potential. However, his early career was marked by ups and downs. In 2017, he struggled to maintain consistency, getting out for a duck five times in six matches and scoring runs at a modest average of 16.72.
Things started looking up in 2018, when Babar hit his stride, finishing the year with an impressive average of 56 and scoring his first Test century. His form peaked in 2019, particularly during Pakistan’s tours of Australia and South Africa, where he scored a century at Brisbane, cementing his place as one of Pakistan’s top players.
The following year, 2020, saw Babar perform well in the few matches he played, with a standout average of 48.75 during Pakistan’s Test series in England. In 2021, as Pakistan’s captain, Babar led his team to a historic Test series win against South Africa and achieved the No. 2 spot in the ICC rankings.
The Decline: Babar Azam’s Recent Struggles
However, Babar’s fortunes started to shift in 2023, as his form took a nosedive. He managed only 22.67 as an average in six matches, a drastic dip compared to his earlier years. His struggles weren’t limited to the bat; Babar also lost his captaincy, a role he had embraced and excelled in previously.
In 2024, Babar’s struggle continued, as he failed to score a half-century in 18 innings, eventually leading to his omission from Pakistan’s playing XI. This recent setback, especially on his 30th birthday, has added to the growing list of challenges he’s facing in his cricket career.
As Babar Azam navigates through this difficult phase, his fans remain hopeful that the star player will find his way back to form, reclaim his spot, and once again become the dependable backbone of Pakistan’s cricket team.
