Pakistan’s star batsman and former captain, Babar Azam, continues to struggle with his form, raising concerns among fans and cricket pundits alike. Once the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup, Babar has now failed to deliver for the 18th consecutive innings, leaving the team in a difficult position during the first Test match against England in Multan. His recent performances have come under scrutiny, especially in light of his latest failure in both innings of this crucial Test.
Another Missed Opportunity in Multan
On the fourth day of the match, Thursday, October 10, England declared their first innings at a mammoth score of 823 runs, gaining a commanding lead of 267 runs. Pakistan’s batting, however, could not match England’s dominance in their second innings, as they collapsed under pressure. Key players Abdullah Shafiq and captain Shan Masood, who had both performed well in the first innings, were quickly dismissed, leaving the team in trouble early on.
At such a crucial juncture, Babar Azam walked out to bat, with expectations riding high on his shoulders. But on a pitch that was still quite flat and conducive to batting, Babar’s poor form continued as he managed just 5 runs before being caught behind by the wicketkeeper. His failure in this inning was particularly disappointing given his earlier dismissal for just 30 runs in the first innings. Once again, he failed to guide the team through a challenging situation, extending his lean patch to 18 Test innings without a half-century.
Dropped Catch Costs Pakistan Dearly
Babar’s struggles were not limited to his batting. Earlier in the match, during England’s innings, he dropped a crucial catch that further compounded Pakistan’s woes. The dropped catch came at a critical moment when Joe Root, one of England’s top batsmen, was playing on 186 runs. Had Babar held onto the catch, it might have provided Pakistan with a much-needed breakthrough.
Unfortunately, Babar’s missed opportunity allowed Root to go on and score a monumental double century, finally being dismissed for 262 runs. Root’s incredible knock, along with Harry Brook’s first-ever triple century, helped England pile on a massive 823 runs. The dropped catch, combined with Babar’s batting failures, proved costly for Pakistan.
Pakistan Faces Another Test Match Loss at Home
Pakistan had started the match on a strong note, posting a significant total of 556 runs in their first innings. Centuries from Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafiq gave the team a solid foundation. However, despite such a big score, the team’s chances of winning the match have diminished considerably after England’s dominant performance and Pakistan’s poor second-innings showing.
What’s more concerning for Pakistan is their recent track record in home Test matches. The team has not won a single Test on home soil for the past three and a half years. In the last 10 Test matches played at home, Pakistan has failed to secure a victory, with six matches resulting in losses and four ending in draws.
The Road Ahead for Babar and Pakistan
With mounting pressure on Babar Azam and the team’s continuous struggles in Test cricket, both fans and analysts are questioning the leadership and strategy of the Pakistan cricket team. Babar, once seen as the team’s talisman, now faces the challenge of finding his form and regaining the trust of his supporters.
