Pakistan’s premier batsman, Babar Azam, has seen a notable decline in his position on the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test rankings, dropping six spots to now sit at ninth.
This slide comes after a string of underwhelming performances in recent Test matches, marking a challenging period for the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball teams.
Despite being one of the most celebrated players in international cricket, Babar has struggled to maintain his form in the longer format of the game. His dip in the rankings is largely attributed to an extended run without a century.
The last time Babar reached the three-figure mark was during the Boxing Day Test in Karachi in 2022. Since then, his performance in Test matches has been less than stellar, failing to register even a half-century in the recent series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The recent Test match against Bangladesh at Pindi Cricket Stadium highlighted Babar’s ongoing struggles. In a rare and unfortunate occurrence, Babar was dismissed for a duck on home soil.
Facing just two deliveries, the right-hander was trapped leg before wicket by Shoriful Islam, marking the first time he has been bowled out for a duck in a Test match in Pakistan. This dismissal further underscores the difficulties Babar has faced in red-ball cricket over the past year.
While Babar’s slide in the rankings has been a point of concern for Pakistan’s cricket fans, there has been a silver lining in the form of improved performances by his teammates.
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, who both played pivotal roles in the Rawalpindi Test against Bangladesh, have seen their rankings rise.
Rizwan, known for his consistency across all formats, climbed to 10th in the ICC Test rankings, while Saud Shakeel’s impressive century in the same match earned him the 13th spot.
These rankings shifts indicate a changing dynamic within the Pakistan Test team, with Rizwan and Shakeel stepping up as Babar faces a slump.
As Pakistan prepares for future Test series, all eyes will be on Babar Azam to see if he can regain his form and reclaim his spot among the world’s top Test batsmen. His ability to bounce back will be crucial for Pakistan’s success in the Test arena.
