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Pakistan's Babar Azam (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Once hailed arsenic Pakistan’s modern batting genius, Babar Azam is accelerated moving retired of excuses. The right-hander’s struggles continued successful Faisalabad, wherever helium scored conscionable 7 runs successful the archetypal ODI against South Africa — extending his period drought to 80 planetary innings. For a subordinate who was erstwhile compared to Virat Kohli, Babar’s caller grounds paints a worrying picture. Since his past planetary 100 — against Nepal successful the 2023 Asia Cup — helium has failed to transverse 3 figures adjacent erstwhile crossed formats. In his past 30 ODI innings, Babar has managed lone 945 runs astatine an mean of 35.00 and a onslaught complaint of 78.55, with a highest people of conscionable 78.
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Despite these underwhelming numbers, amazingly Babar inactive sits 4th successful the ICC ODI batting rankings.
His inability to present match-winning knocks successful caller months has sparked statement among fans and critics alike astir whether helium inactive deserves to beryllium called Pakistan’s premier batter. The Faisalabad crowd, anxious to spot their hometown leader rediscover his touch, was near disappointed arsenic helium fell cheaply erstwhile again. While Pakistan went connected to clinch a two-wicket triumph successful a tense finish, acknowledgment to Naseem Shah’s final-over single, Babar’s nonaccomplishment overshadowed overmuch of the post-match celebrations.
South Africa, batting first, posted 263 courtesy of
Quinton de Kock
(63) and debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius (57). Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Abrar Ahmed (3-53) and Naseem Shah (3-40), did the job, but their captain’s batting continues to beryllium a large concern. With 2 matches near successful the series, unit is mounting connected Babar Azam. Unless helium finds a mode to extremity this alarming run, Pakistan’s expected batting king mightiness soon find his crown slipping.
