Pakistan cricket team might have found a problem to end Babar Azam‘s woes with the bat in Tests. In the absence of Saim Ayub, the former Pakistan captain was promoted to the top-order to open the innings with Shan Masood. On both occasions, Azam fared pretty decent as the opener, registering 50+ scores in both innings in SA vs PAK 2nd Test. For a batter of his caliber, Babar has been quite poor in terms of his form over the last two years. If opening the batting indeed can help him rediscover his golden touch, then Pakistan shouldn’t make the mistake of using Azam as an opener only as a stop-gap arrangement.
Should Babar Azam open in Tests to rediscover form?
It is pertinent to point out that Babar has played in the number 4 position in Tests for the majority of his career and has tasted the most success while batting in the middle-order. In fact, skipper Shan Masood has a better track record as an opener in comparison with Azam. But the problem in terms of form is with Babar and not Masood. In 2023 and 2024, Babar managed to only amass 202 and 204 runs in 10 Tests combined. His Test average in those two years was below 25, highly unusual for a player who is used to averaging 40+.
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On both occasions in PAK vs SA 2nd Test, Babar got off to a bright start but failed to convert it into a good knock. While his wait for a Test century continues, it comes as good news for the batter as he has managed to last for 120+ deliveries in both the innings. Perhaps, this promotion to the top-order is just what Babar Azam needed to rediscover his mojo. It is pertinent to point out that Azam has never opened the innings for Pakistan, except in the 2nd Test against South Africa.
However, Pakistan can afford to experiment with Babar at the top-order. While Saim Ayub is surely the team’s first-choice opener, Pakistan need to get rid of Abdullah Shafique simply because of his consistent failures. This leaves the door for the former captain to continue opening the innings until he finds rhythm.
