Babar Azam Becomes Major Concern for Pakistan Cricket Amid Long Century Drought Babar Azam has emerged as a massive headache for Pakistan cricket following continuous low scores in the ongoing Test series against England. He has not scored a Test century in nearly four years, raising fresh concerns over his place in the team. Uncertainty surrounds the position of senior batter Babar Azam within the Pakistan cricket setup as poor form and prolonged failures continue to mount. Team management finds itself in a difficult predicament regarding his selection as performances on the ongoing tour of England fall well below expectations. Having already surrendered the three-match series after losing the first two encounters, the visiting side hoped to salvage some pride in the final fixture. However, the batting unit collapsed once again, displaying the same vulnerabilities that have plagued the team throughout the tour. Collapse in the First Innings of the Third Test During the opening innings of the final Test match, the entire Pakistan batting lineup folded for a paltry total of 133 runs. Captain Babar Azam managed just seven runs from 18 balls before heading back to the pavilion. Remarkably, none of the top five batters in the lineup managed to reach double digits. Only Saud Shakeel, Razaullah, and Mohammad Abbas crossed the ten-run mark, leaving the team in complete disarray. Struggles After Returning from Injury The current tour has offered no respite for the star batter, who missed the opening Test due to fitness issues. Upon returning to the playing eleven for the second match, he recorded scores of eight and six runs across the two innings. Across his last three innings in the series, he has failed to cross the double-digit threshold even once, which has triggered a steep decline in his Test batting average. A clearer picture of his career statistics will emerge only after the conclusion of the current series. Waiting for a Test Century Since 2022 The most glaring statistic surrounding the experienced batter is his long wait for a triple-digit score in the longest format of the game. Babar Azam scored his last Test century back in December 2022 during a home fixture against New Zealand in Karachi, where he notched up 161 runs in the first innings. Nearly four years have passed since that milestone, but the milestone continues to elude him. Outside of a few occasional half-centuries, he has consistently fallen cheaply during this extended phase. Growing Risk of Exclusion from the Squad Since recording his previous century, Babar Azam has played 39 Test innings without reaching the three-figure mark. Given his ongoing struggles and the mounting pressure on the team management after sweeping changes in the squad, speculation is once again growing that he could soon face exclusion from the national side if his form does not improve. What this means for you The continuous struggles of the Pakistan cricket team and the declining form of key players carry significant implications for sports enthusiasts and the nation's cricketing landscape. • Impact on Fans: The recurring dismal performances by the national team have led to growing frustration and disappointment among cricket followers. • Player Futures: Persistent low scores increase the threat of exclusion for senior players, forcing selectors to contemplate major lineup changes. • Board Accountability: Ongoing defeats place intense scrutiny on the Pakistan Cricket Board to overhaul selection criteria and domestic structures. • International Standing: Losing the Test series in England further damages the team's standing and ranking in international red-ball cricket. • Squad Morale: Frequent batting collapses undermine the overall confidence of the dressing room, potentially affecting future series preparations. Why this happened The prolonged century drought for Babar Azam and the continuous batting failures of the Pakistan team stem from a combination of technical vulnerabilities and mounting pressure. • Technical Flaws: International bowlers have successfully targeted his known weaknesses over the past four years, exploiting gaps in his defensive technique. • Psychological Pressure: The extended period without a three-figure score has created added mental strain whenever he comes out to bat. • Fitness Setbacks: Missing the opening Test due to injury disrupted his rhythm and prevented him from settling into the tour smoothly. • Top-Order Collapses: Frequent failures from fellow top-order batters leave senior players with little support, magnifying the pressure during critical phases. Questions & Answers 1. When did Babar Azam score his last Test century? Babar Azam scored his last Test century in December 2022 against New Zealand in Karachi. 2. What was Pakistan's total score in the first innings of the third Test against England? The entire Pakistan team was bowled out for just 133 runs in the first innings. 3. How many runs did Babar Azam score in the first innings of the third Test? Babar Azam scored only seven runs from 18 balls. 4. How many top-order batters failed to reach double digits in that innings? None of the top five batters in the team managed to reach double figures. 5. Why did Babar Azam miss the opening match of the series? He was unable to play the first match due to fitness issues and an injury. https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/babara-ajama-bane-pakistani-kriketa-ki-sabase-bari-ulajhana-chara-sala-se-nahin-aya-shataka-30749 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.