Babar Azam’s Recent Test Struggles: A Stark Fall from Grace
No one expected Babar Azam, the usually unshakeable anchor of Pakistan’s batting, to be at the center of such a fierce storm. But now, just 140 runs scattered over 10 Test innings have put his technique and temperament under an unflattering spotlight—a stretch of struggle that’s sent a wave of anxiety through Pakistan cricket fans and rattled the team’s confidence.
The numbers tell their own story. Once regarded as one of the most reliable batsmen across all formats, Babar’s recent performance stands in stark contrast to his earlier achievements, which included centuries built on class and composure. He’s historically been the batter Pakistan turns to when the innings need stitching together, but the signs of wear and uncertainty have begun to show, and not just for him—his whole team is looking uneasy in these high-pressure moments.
The 2024/25 series against West Indies brought these issues into sharp focus. The second Test in Multan will sting for a long time. Pakistan's legendary resistance against spin seemed all but missing. Gudakesh Motie, a West Indian left-arm spinner not particularly hyped before the series, suddenly looked unplayable. And Noman Ali, an experienced spinner from the local side, only added to the mayhem. When Pakistan slumped to a jaw-dropping 38 for 7 on the third day, the collapse wasn’t just technical—it was psychological. Babar himself fell cheaply, his wicket sparking even more alarm among players and supporters alike.
Pundits and ex-players sat up and took notice. Memories flashed back to innings where Babar coolly steered tense run chases or batted through tricky sessions, making things look almost effortless. Those days feel distant now. How did things unravel so quickly for a player once labeled “world-class” with barely any debate?
Pressure Mounts on Leadership and Lineup Choices
Now, criticism isn’t so gentle. Fans on social media are no longer content with polite suggestions for change—they want something done. Some blame poor shot selection, others pin it on nerves in the biggest moments, and then there’s the growing argument about whether Babar should even hold onto the leadership mantle as his own numbers slip.
The second-Test defeat was no ordinary loss. Falling short by 120 runs, Pakistan looked short on both resilience and fresh ideas. The lack of a fight on home soil isn’t just embarrassing, it’s worrying for the months ahead. The depth of the batting order is under the microscope, with Babar’s form dragging down the sense of security for the team. There’s a growing sense that the lineup, which so often revolves around him, needs not just tweaks but serious reconstruction if it's going to stand up to both local and visiting sides.
What makes this rough patch even more glaring is the contrast with Babar’s own record. He’s one of the few batters in Pakistan’s recent history to have scored international hundreds in every format. His career average, once the envy of rising batsmen in South Asia, has started to take a hit. Bowlers have learned to exploit the smallest cracks—especially with spin, where Babar’s footwork looks hesitant and his shot selection unsure.
For now, the talk won’t go away. Is this just a blip, a short-lived dip in form that all great players experience, or something deeper that requires change? With the next Test series on the horizon and critics circling, the coming months could define how both Babar Azam and Pakistan cricket recalibrate after this bruising period. Everyone’s watching to see if their star batsman can rediscover his Test series magic or if Pakistan keeps searching for new answers in their batting order shake-up.
