Pakistan’s star batsman, Babar Azam, known for his prowess in cricket, is currently facing a challenging phase with his performance. Despite the anticipation of a turnaround in the new season, Babar has been struggling to convert good starts into substantial scores, drawing criticism from observers.
In recent matches, including the ongoing Test series against South Africa, Babar has failed to make a significant impact with the bat. Following a modest contribution in the first Test, where he scored 23 and 42, Babar was dismissed for 16 in the first innings of the second Test in Rawalpindi after playing a defensive shot that led to an easy catch.
Notably, Babar has now gone 75 international innings without scoring a century, with his Test performances showing a decline in the past three years, averaging below 30 each year. Despite concerns about his form, Pakistan’s head coach, Azhar Mahmood, has downplayed worries about Babar’s slump, attributing it to high expectations placed on the talented player.
Mahmood expressed confidence that Babar is on the brink of returning to his top form, emphasizing that a breakthrough innings is imminent. The coach acknowledged Babar’s struggles against left-arm spin and revealed that special attention was given to this aspect during training sessions before the season started.
Former Pakistani cricketer Aamer Sohail advised Babar to focus on spending more time at the crease rather than rushing for big scores, citing an instance from the recent Test match where Babar seemed eager to reach a milestone quickly, leading to his downfall. Sohail emphasized the importance of patience and composure in Babar’s batting approach.
In the ongoing second Test in Rawalpindi, Pakistan faced a challenging first innings, being bowled out for 333 with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj claiming seven wickets. Babar’s struggle to regain his form has raised questions about his performance across formats, with some speculating if he has reached his peak at 31 years old.