Pakistan’s cricketing talisman, Babar Azam, has faced a challenging period in red-ball cricket since the tour of Australia last December. His struggle for runs has coincided with the team’s disappointing results, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike. However, ahead of the upcoming England series, Pakistan’s red-ball captain Shan Masood has come forward to support Babar, asserting that he is not out of form and is still a key player for the team.
“Babar Azam is among the world’s best batters. You have to give your players time, not just Babar Azam. Babar doesn’t look out of form; he’s getting starts,” Masood stated. He emphasized that the long gap between the Australia and Bangladesh Tests did not help Babar’s rhythm. Notably, Babar had performed well in the Champions Cup, where he played some lengthy innings under pressure, which Masood believes could translate into improved performances in Tests.
Statistical Insights into Babar’s Performance
In 2023, Babar scored only 204 runs at an average of 22.67, and in 2024 so far, he has managed just 113 runs at an average of 18.83. These figures highlight a significant dip in form compared to his previous standards. Despite this slump, Masood remains confident in Babar’s abilities and leadership within the team.
Earlier, all-rounder Salman Agha also defended Babar during a press conference regarding the Bangladesh series. “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 remarked.
Home-Away Performance Variance
One of the critical concerns surrounding Babar Azam is his home-away performance variance. While he boasts an impressive home Test average of 67.77—the highest among players who debuted since 1990—his away average is considerably lower at 36.86 after 56 innings. This discrepancy of 30.91 runs is the highest among batters who have scored over 1,000 runs with a home average exceeding 60 since 1990.
In contrast, players like Kumar Sangakkara and Steve Smith have maintained much smaller variances, indicating that while Babar excels at home, he struggles significantly when playing away from familiar conditions. This trend raises questions about his adaptability and consistency across different playing environments.
Comparisons with Other Elite Batters
Babar’s current home-away variance mirrors his overall Test career statistics with a difference of 24.33 in World Test Championship matches as well. This inconsistency could hinder Pakistan’s performance as they navigate through crucial series against top-tier teams like England.
Notably, despite these challenges, Babar has demonstrated flashes of brilliance throughout his career—scoring four centuries since his last duck in Test cricket back in 2021—but he has failed to convert promising starts into substantial scores recently.
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