Pakistan’s Babar Azam reacts as he walks off the field after his dismissal during the second day of second test cricket match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. AP/PTI
Pakistan talismanic batter Babar Azam has bagged in another score on Saturday in the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. The 29-year-old has not gone past the 50-mark in his last 15 innings.
“Babar Azam is a world-class player. As a cricketer, you go through these phases. He has scored consistently throughout the last five years. Soon, we will see him scoring big runs for Pakistan again,” said Salman Agha in the press conference after the game.
Babar’s poor run of form began when The Men in Green travelled to Sri Lanka in 2023 where in two Tests he ended up with an average of 25.33. Consequently, his woes continued in Australia when Pat Cummins got better off Pakistani number four where he ended the series with an average of 21.
In the ongoing series against Bangladesh too in three innings he has played, he could not make a handy contribution either. However, Agha would back Babar to come good and say there are 10 other players in the team as well apart from Babar.
“As a cricketer, you have such phases in your life. There are 10 other players in the team, so you should focus on them. It’s fine if he’s struggling. He will return to scoring big runs very soon,” Agha added.
Babar Azam’s home-away variance and recent form a concern for Pakistan
No batter who has debuted since 1990 has had a better home Test average (min. 1,000 runs) than Babar – 67.77. However, his middling away haul, averaging 36.86 after 56 innings, neutralises his overall account.
The home-away average variance of 30.91 is the highest among the 10 batters who have achieved a 1,000-plus run and 60-plus average double at home since 1990.
In contrast, Kumar Sangakkara (7.31) and Steve Smith (9.1) have the least variance in the mentioned bracket. Virat Kohli, who has played the most away innings (110) among them, has a home-away average difference of 17.21.
Interestingly, Babar’s WTC home-away splits are a microcosm of his overall Test career with a 24.33 difference
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First uploaded on: 01-09-2024 at 12:34 IST
