Pakistan batting star Babar Azam endured another disappointing outing in the ODI tri-series against England, failing to convert a promising start into a substantial score.
Batting at No. 3 in the second match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, Babar managed just 34 runs off 44 deliveries before being dismissed.
Pakistan, who lost the toss and were asked to bat first, had expected their experienced batter to deliver a significant contribution. However, Babar’s inability to build on his start once again brought his recent batting form under scrutiny.
Babar Azam falls to Will Jacks after promising start
England off-spinner Will Jacks played a key role in Babar’s dismissal, taking advantage of the Pakistani batter’s struggles against spin bowling.
Babar looked set to build a meaningful innings but failed to capitalise on the opportunity, departing for 34. His latest dismissal followed a similar pattern in the opening match of the series against Sri Lanka, where he scored 45 before losing his wicket.
Back-to-back dismissals after getting starts have raised questions about Babar’s ability to convert them into match-defining innings. For a batter of his experience and reputation, Pakistan will be looking for greater consistency, particularly in important matches.
Babar Azam’s struggles against spin come under the spotlight
Babar Azam has long been regarded as one of Pakistan’s key batters across formats. However, his recent inability to turn promising starts into big scores has attracted criticism from fans and observers.
His dismissal against Will Jacks has renewed discussion about his approach against spin bowling. According to the match account, Babar appeared uncomfortable against England’s spinners, including Jacks and Adil Rashid, and could not maintain his innings.
Converting starts into substantial scores is particularly important for a top-order batter in ODI cricket, where building an innings can determine a team’s final total. Babar’s latest failure will therefore be a concern for Pakistan as they assess their batting combinations and preparations for major tournaments.
However, one dismissal alone does not establish a technical weakness. His performances in the remaining matches will offer a better indication of whether he can address the concerns surrounding his recent form.
Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka compete in ODI Tri-Series
The ODI tri-series featuring Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka is an important opportunity for the three teams to assess their players and combinations ahead of future international assignments.
The tournament features six league matches, with the top two teams progressing to the final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on October 31, according to the supplied match report.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, performances in the series could influence team selection and preparation plans. Pakistan will be keen to see their senior batters produce consistent performances against quality opposition.
Babar’s experience makes him a key figure in Pakistan’s batting line-up, and the team will expect him to provide stability at the top of the order. His inability to convert recent starts into bigger scores has consequently become an important talking point.
Can Babar Azam regain his form before the 2027 ODI World Cup?
Pakistan will need their leading batters to deliver consistently as they prepare for the next ODI World Cup. Babar’s record and experience make him an important part of those plans, but maintaining form and scoring heavily against different bowling attacks will remain crucial.
His recent dismissals against Sri Lanka and England have highlighted the need to make the most of opportunities after settling at the crease. Better shot selection, patience and the ability to handle spin could help him turn those starts into bigger contributions.
For now, the focus will be on how Babar responds in the upcoming matches. A strong innings could ease some of the pressure, while further failures would intensify questions about his current form.
Pakistan will hope their star batter finds his rhythm soon, with the team needing dependable performances from its senior players ahead of the challenges that lie ahead.