Former Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam's difficult period shows no signs of ending, while his bat remains silent, and he appears to be struggling for every single run. Recent performances have confirmed that even in the One Day International format, Babar is batting with a Test-like slowness, yet the expected runs aren't flowing from his bat. In the inaugural match of the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Babar Azam's flop show continued, pushing the Pakistani team into a precarious situation.
A Persistent Streak of Poor Form
Babar Azam, once renowned for his brilliant batting and consistent run-scoring ability, is now finding it hard to score runs. This poor run of form has been ongoing for quite some time, not only affecting his individual performance but also having a direct impact on the team's overall showing, while fans and cricket pundits alike had hoped that he would regain his rhythm in the ODI series, but his performance in the first match proved to be disappointing. The pressure on him is mounting with each passing game, and his inability to convert starts into substantial scores is a growing concern for the team management and supporters.
The Commencement of the ODI Series Against Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan team is currently on a tour of Pakistan, where a three-match One Day International series is underway between the two nations. The series has commenced, and in the first match, Pakistan was given the opportunity to bat first. There were high expectations that the team would post a significant total, especially playing on their home ground. From Babar Azam, specifically, there was an anticipation of a good and lengthy innings after a long time, which would help him return to form and put the team in a strong position. However, none of these expectations materialized, and Babar once again dashed Pakistan's hopes with his performance.
Babar's Slow Innings and its Impact on the Team
Pakistan's innings didn't start well, with the first wicket falling early in the form of Sam Ayub, who managed only 6 runs off 14 balls before returning to the pavilion, while following this early dismissal, Babar Azam came to bat at number three. Fans had immense expectations from him, but Babar batted at an exceptionally slow pace, while his innings was so sluggish that it felt as if a Test match was being played in the green jersey. Babar Azam faced 51 balls but could only score 29 runs before being dismissed and heading back to the pavilion. His innings included just three boundaries, and his strike rate stood at a mere 56. 86, which is remarkably low for ODI cricket. Apart from Babar, other batsmen also failed to make a significant impact, leading the team to struggle and appear to be in crisis.
A Looming Threat to His Career
Babar Azam now stands at a critical juncture in his career, where his future appears uncertain, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had given him another opportunity in T20 Internationals, but he failed to deliver anything substantial there either. If this streak of underperformance continues, Babar Azam's international career could potentially come to a complete end. For a long time now, there has been no century from his bat, whereas a world-class batsman like Babar is expected to score centuries consistently. He has consistently failed to do so. It remains to be seen how Babar Azam bats in the remaining two matches of the series and whether he manages to save his career. This is a do-or-die situation for him, with his reputation and future in international cricket hanging in the balance.
