Babar Azam’s Century Drought: Is Pakistan’s Batting King Losing His Crown?
Once hailed as Pakistan’s modern batting genius, Babar Azam is quickly running out of excuses. The right-hander’s alarming struggles persisted in Faisalabad, where he managed just 7 runs in the first ODI against South Africa.
This latest performance extends his international century drought to a staggering 80 innings. For a player once routinely compared to cricketing titans like Virat Kohli, Babar’s recent record paints a deeply worrying picture for fans and experts alike.
The Alarming Numbers: A Deep Dive into Babar’s Recent Form
Since his last international hundred – achieved against Nepal in the 2023 Asia Cup – Babar Azam has consistently failed to reach triple figures across all formats. This dip in form is particularly stark when looking at his One Day International performances.
In his last 30 ODI innings, the numbers tell a story of inconsistency, far removed from the dominance he once displayed. His contributions include:
- Total Runs: 945
- Average: 35.00
- Strike Rate: 78.55
- Highest Score: Just 78
These figures are undoubtedly underwhelming for a batter of his calibre, raising significant questions about his current rhythm and confidence at the crease.
Ranking vs. Reality: The ICC Anomaly
Despite these clear struggles and a prolonged inability to deliver match-winning knocks, Babar Azam surprisingly still holds the fourth position in the ICC ODI batting rankings.
This anomaly has sparked intense debate among fans and critics alike. Many are questioning whether he truly deserves to be called Pakistan’s premier batter, especially given his current output and lack of impactful contributions.
Faisalabad’s Frustration: A Hometown Disappointment
The Faisalabad crowd, having eagerly anticipated their hometown hero rediscovering his majestic touch, was left visibly disappointed as Babar fell cheaply once again.
His quick dismissal overshadowed much of the post-match elation, even though Pakistan managed to clinch a thrilling two-wicket victory in a tense finish, thanks to Naseem Shah’s crucial final-over single.
Pakistan’s Victory Amidst Batting Concerns
In the match, South Africa batted first, posting a respectable total of 263 runs. Contributions came from Quinton de Kock (63) and debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius (57), setting a challenging target for the home side.
Pakistan’s bowlers, led admirably by Abrar Ahmed (3-53) and Naseem Shah (3-40), performed exceptionally well to restrict the Proteas. However, their captain’s persistent batting failures remain a significant cloud over the team’s otherwise positive performance.
Conclusion: The Mounting Pressure on Babar Azam
With two crucial matches remaining in the series, the pressure on Babar Azam is reaching a fever pitch. His form is not just a personal struggle but also a point of concern for Pakistan’s overall batting lineup and strategic planning.
Unless he can find a way to break this alarming cycle and rediscover his scoring touch very soon, Pakistan’s supposed batting king might indeed find his crown slipping, and his status as the team’s indispensable cornerstone called into question.