In a recent Test match in Melbourne, Babar Azam's struggles were evident as he was dismissed for just one run by Australian captain Pat Cummins. Cummins, who was delivering a potent spell, bowled a length delivery that seamed inwards sharply, breaching Babar's defense and resulting in his early exit. This dismissal added to Babar's string of modest scores, which included 21 and 14 in the first Test at Perth, a match that ended in a 360-run defeat for Pakistan.
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Babar's difficulties were not confined to Test cricket. During the ODI World Cup held in October-November, he scored four half-centuries but totaled 320 runs in nine matches, averaging 40. This performance, coupled with the team's overall results, led to calls for him to step down from the captaincy to focus on his batting.
Responding to these pressures, Babar resigned from his captaincy role, leading to Shan Masood taking over in Tests and star pacer Shaheen Afridi assuming the captaincy in T20Is. The decision for the ODI captaincy remains pending.
Despite Babar's personal challenges, Pakistan showed resilience in the Melbourne Test. They managed to bowl Australia out for 318 runs, thanks to Aamer Jamal's three-wicket haul. Marnus Labuschagne scored a notable 63 for Australia. Pakistan's response to Australia's total had its ups and downs, with opener Imam-ul-Haq departing early. However, Abdullah Shafique scored a commendable 62, and along with captain Masood, they built a crucial 90-run partnership, helping to stabilize Pakistan's innings.
This period marks a transition for Babar Azam and the Pakistan cricket team, as they navigate through changes in leadership and seek to overcome the recent hurdles in their performances. The ongoing Test series in Australia continues to be a testing ground for the team's adaptability and resilience under the new leadership structure.
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