Babar Azam, the ace batsman of Pakistan, extended his poor Test run during the second Test match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Despite Praying only 31 in the first innings off 77 balls out and got 11 runs from 18 ball’s in the second innings.
This also added the difficulties Pakistan faced against the Bangladesh attack on a tough fourth-day wicket.
Pakistan who scored 274 in their first innings appeared to be in full control of the match when they bundled the Bangladesh batting line for 26/6. But, a stunning turnaround was engineered thanks to 165-run partnerships between Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz which carried Bangladesh’s total to 262, 12 runs short of Pakistan.
Fans and critics have raised concerns over Babar’s recent performances, owing to the fact that it is now 16 Test innings since the star batter has scored a single half century and it is now over sixteen and counting. Closer to home, his form slump has been a matter of much debate, especially after the 10-wicket defeat in the first Test to Pakistan in which he was also out for a duck and 22 in the second test.
In Babar’s case, it has been a long stretch without settling a Test fifty having his last scalp done in 2022. In view of his prolonged poor run, the talented batter’s Test average has dropped to below 45, a very rare state for batters of his caliber. Fans have taken the matter to social media to vent their anger with most targeting Babar for his failure to steady the ship when needed.
Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha had earlier defended Babar in the face of the criticism stating that Babar can rally himself back. “Babar is the best one day player in the world. There is every cricketer in this world who faces bad patch and I am sure he will be among runs soon,” Salman explained the team’s assertion towards their skipper.
While Pakistan searches for its balance and looks ahead to the tests along with the series, Babar Azam’s form for all those will be even more of a concern.
