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Another innings, another missed opportunity—Pakistan’s Former Test captain Babar Azam finds himself under the scanner once again. Once hailed as one of the brightest talents in world cricket, Babar’s struggles in the longest format of the game have now extended into a prolonged slump, leaving fans and analysts questioning his place in the Test side.
Here’s why it might be time for Pakistan to make a tough call and drop Babar from the Test setup:
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3. No Winning Contribution in Over Two Years
The numbers don’t lie. Babar Azam hasn’t scored a Test century since December 2022, when he managed a ton against New Zealand at home. Since then, he has gone through 61 Test innings without a meaningful impact.
His form has been especially disappointing in 2023 and 2024, with a Test average of 22.66 and 20, respectively. Even in 2025, his average has crawled up to just 30, far below the expectations from a player of his caliber.
While Babar has shown flashes of brilliance in away series like the one against South Africa, his inability to perform consistently—especially on home soil—has hurt Pakistan’s chances in crucial games. For a side struggling in the World Test Championship, a captain failing to deliver is a huge liability.
2. Repeating the Same Mistakes
One of the hallmarks of great players is their ability to learn from their mistakes, but Babar Azam seems stuck in a loop.
Over the past two years, bowlers have repeatedly targeted him with deliveries that move back into the stumps. Despite being aware of this weakness, Babar has shown little improvement in dealing with these balls.
In the ongoing series against the West Indies, Kevin Sinclair exploited this very flaw by bowling an off-break delivery that spun back in and dismissed Babar. It’s becoming a predictable pattern, one that elite bowlers are taking full advantage of.
For a player with over 50 Tests under his belt, this inability to adapt and evolve raises serious concerns.
1. Talented Players Waiting in the Wings
Pakistan’s domestic circuit is brimming with young and exciting talent waiting for an opportunity to prove themselves on the international stage. Players like:
- Tayyab Tahir
- Azan Awais
- Sahibzada Farhan
…are all knocking on the selectors’ doors. These players have consistently performed in domestic cricket and deserve a shot at the highest level.
Unlike India, Pakistan often hesitates to give extended opportunities to young players, sticking with underperforming seniors for too long. Dropping Babar Azam would not only send a strong message about accountability but also allow fresh, energetic players to bring new life into the Test side.
As much as it might hurt to drop a player of Babar Azam’s stature, cricket is a results-driven sport. Pakistan cannot afford to carry a player who has struggled for form for over two years, especially when the team is crying out for impactful performances in the middle order.
With a wealth of domestic talent waiting to step up, perhaps it’s time for Pakistan to take a bold decision—for the sake of the team’s future.
