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Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, has voiced strong support for Babar Azam, who has been under fire due to a prolonged dip in form, particularly in red-ball cricket. Babar, once the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup, has been struggling to replicate his earlier success, leading to growing concerns among fans and cricket analysts.
In the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Pakistan faced a historic 0-2 defeat, marking their first-ever series loss against the Bangla Tigers. Babar’s performance was particularly underwhelming, scoring just 64 runs across four innings, with his highest score being 31. This performance added to the ongoing criticism, as Babar has now gone 16 innings without a half-century in Test cricket—a stark contrast to his previous form, where he dominated the rankings across formats.
Despite the criticism, Shan Masood has remained steadfast in his support for Babar. Following the series, Masood emphasized the importance of consistency in selection, arguing that players need a longer run to regain their form. He stated, “You will have to bear with players’ failures. It’s not just about Babar Azam; the more consistently you give a chance to someone, the better he will perform.” Masood’s comments suggest a belief in Babar’s ability to turn things around if given the necessary time and support.
Masood’s leadership has come under scrutiny, especially after this significant loss. However, he took full responsibility for the defeat, apologizing to the nation and promising to work on improving the team’s performance. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained optimistic about the team’s potential.
Babar Azam, who was once considered one of the best batsmen in the world, now faces the difficult task of regaining his form ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming series against England. This series, starting in October 2024, will be crucial not only for Babar but also for Pakistan as they seek to end their winless streak at home, which has now extended to ten Tests.
As Pakistan prepares for this critical series, the pressure on Babar will undoubtedly be immense. However, with the backing of his captain and a history of excellence, there is hope that he can overcome this challenging period and return to his best. The next few matches will be a test of both his skill and his mental strength, as he aims to silence the critics and lead his team to victory once again.