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2h ago

Babar Azam’s Home Test Drought Deepens With 23 vs South Africa as Calls Grow for Red-Ball Tune-Up

The former captain draws criticism for avoiding domestic red-ball cricket during a 34‑month home fifty drought.

Pakistan's Babar Azam plays a shot during the first day of first test cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa, in Lahore

Overview

  • Babar Azam was dismissed for 23 off 48 balls in Pakistan’s first innings of the opening Test against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
  • He has gone 34 months without a fifty at home, with his last coming in December 2022 when he scored 161 against New Zealand in Karachi.
  • Across 14 home Test innings since 2023, he has compiled 232 runs at an average of 16.58, without a score higher than 31.
  • Former Pakistan batter Salman Butt publicly urged Babar to play domestic red-ball matches, citing the Hanif Mohammad Trophy and suggesting the PCB would have allowed his participation.
  • Media coverage notes growing scrutiny of his Test place and points to his intermittent white-ball selection as pressure builds on his red-ball form.