Fri Oct 11 05:27:32 UTC 2024: ## Babar Azam’s Slump Continues: Pakistan Captain Fails to Impress in Multan Test
**Multan, Pakistan:** Pakistan captain Babar Azam continues to struggle in Test cricket, failing to break his prolonged run of low scores in the first innings of the series opener against England. Despite a flat pitch and a strong start from his teammates, Babar managed only 30 runs before being dismissed by Chris Woakes, marking his 15th consecutive Test innings without reaching a half-century.
The Multan pitch offered little resistance, with opener Abdullah Shafique scoring a brilliant century and captain Shan Masood contributing a solid 151 runs. However, Babar failed to capitalize on the favorable conditions, sparking renewed criticism from fans on social media.
One fan sarcastically commented, “Everything is variable but Babar Azam’s performance is constant in this world,” while another quipped, “Babar Azam’s batting never gives fans a chance to be disappointed – even after he is out, everyone starts getting entertained.” Some fans even compared his performance to that of Indian captain Virat Kohli, stating that Babar needs “more hard work to reach [Kohli’s] level in Test cricket.”
Babar’s current form is a stark contrast to his impressive record before 2022, when he boasted an average of over 50 in Test matches. In 2022, he amassed 1104 runs in nine games, including four centuries and seven half-centuries. However, his performance has dramatically declined since then, averaging just 22.66 in 2023 and 20.42 in four matches this year.
With Pakistan facing a crucial Test series against England, Babar Azam’s ability to turn his form around will be critical for his team’s success.
First Piper 