Pakistan's Babar Azam is facing a tough time in home Test matches. His recent dismissal for 23 against South Africa in Lahore has extended his barren run to 14 innings without a fifty. This is a worrying trend for the star batter and raises questions about his form and strategy on home soil.
South Africa Wrestles Control After Early Pakistan Momentum
Earlier in the day, South Africa struck early when Kagiso Rabada trapped Abdullah Shafique leg-before. However, Imam-ul-Haq (93) and Shan Masood (76) rebuilt the innings, putting on a solid 161-run partnership. Masood was then dismissed by Prenelan Subrayen, bringing Babar Azam to the crease.
Babar's Struggle Continues
Babar Azam, however, couldn't capitalize on the platform. He fell victim to Simon Harmer's spin, getting trapped leg-before after a review. This dismissal leaves Pakistan at 199-5 and further compounds Babar's struggles at home.
Since December 2022, Babar has played 14 innings at home, scoring only 232 runs at an average of 16.58. His highest score during this period is a mere 31, a far cry from his usual high standards.
At the time of writing, Pakistan were 265-5, leading by 128 runs. The onus is now on the remaining batsmen to build a substantial lead and put South Africa under pressure.
Will Babar Azam be able to turn his form around in the second innings? Only time will tell. But for now, his struggles are a major concern for Pakistan cricket fans.