Pakistan’s star batsman and captain, Babar Azam, is facing a tough phase in his Test career. The ongoing Test series against Bangladesh has been particularly challenging for him, as he once again failed to deliver with the bat. In the second Test in Rawalpindi, Babar managed to score just 11 runs in the second innings, adding to a series of disappointing performances. What’s more surprising is that his wicket was taken by Nahid Rana, a young Bangladeshi fast bowler playing only his third Test match.
Babar’s Ongoing Struggles
Babar Azam’s recent form in Test cricket has been a cause for concern. He has now failed to score a half-century in his last 16 Test innings. His batting average during this period has plummeted to just 20.68, with a total of 331 runs scored, and his highest score being only 41. This streak of poor form has raised eyebrows among fans and cricket experts alike, especially considering Babar’s reputation as one of the top batsmen in the world.
Performance Against Bangladesh
In the ongoing series against Bangladesh, Babar’s struggles have been evident from the start. In the first Test, he was dismissed for a duck in the first innings and managed only 22 runs in the second innings. The second Test has not been any better for him, with scores of 31 in the first innings and 11 in the second. Pakistan’s overall performance has also suffered, with the team losing the first Test and now on the verge of losing the second.
A String of Failures
Babar Azam’s recent form is not just a concern in the Bangladesh series but has been an issue for the past three Test series. Against Sri Lanka, Babar managed only 76 runs in two Tests, with an average of 25.33. During the Australia tour, he scored 126 runs in three Tests at an average of 21. Now, in the Bangladesh series, his average has dipped further to 16, with just 64 runs in two Tests. Overall, in the World Test Championship, Babar has accumulated only 266 runs at an average of 20.46, a far cry from his usual standards.
