Babar Azam's Batting Woes Deepen in T20I Series Against Australia
Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam faced another disappointing outing in the ongoing T20 International series against Australia, managing just 2 runs off 5 balls during the second match at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. This continued his recent struggles in the shortest format of the game.
Zampa's Double Strike Against Pakistan Captain
Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa proved to be Babar's nemesis once again, dismissing the Pakistani captain on the first ball of the eighth over. This marked the second consecutive time Zampa has claimed Babar's wicket in T20 Internationals, establishing a troubling pattern for the right-handed batsman.
The dismissal occurred when Babar attempted to play a delivery towards the leg side but found himself trapped directly in front of the stumps. The ball struck his front pad with such precision that he had virtually no chance of survival, resulting in a straightforward leg-before-wicket decision.
Pakistan's Innings Builds Despite Early Setbacks
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pakistan experienced an early setback when opener Sahibzada Farhan departed in just the second over after scoring 5 runs off 5 balls. However, the innings gained some stability through a promising partnership between the other opener Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha.
The pair constructed a valuable 55-run stand for the second wicket before Ayub was dismissed for a brisk 23 runs off just 11 deliveries. Salman continued to anchor the innings, but Pakistan's progress suffered another blow when Babar became the third batter to depart, leaving the team in a precarious position at 76 for 3 wickets.
Social Media Erupts Over Babar's Performance
Babar's early dismissal triggered immediate reactions across social media platforms, with numerous cricket fans and analysts questioning his place in Pakistan's T20 side. The criticism came despite Pakistan entering the match with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
One user posted a creative critique on X (formerly Twitter) that read: "Give me freedom Give me fire Give me Zimbabwe Or I'll Retire." Meanwhile, a prominent Pakistani journalist offered a more direct assessment, writing: "76/3 why is he in the team? Babar Azam is not a t20 cricketer period."
Series Context and Broader Implications
The ongoing series represents a crucial preparation phase for both teams ahead of major international tournaments. Babar's continued struggles in T20 cricket have raised significant questions about his role and approach in the format, particularly given his established reputation as one of Pakistan's premier batsmen in longer formats.
As the series progresses to its decisive third match, all eyes will be on whether Babar can overcome his recent challenges and deliver a performance that silences his growing number of critics. The pressure is mounting on the Pakistani captain to justify his position in the T20 lineup with substantial contributions at the crease.
