Former Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has not at been at his best in Test cricket for a long time. Since December 2022, he has not been able to score a half-century despite batting 16 innings. In the ongoing Test series, he has been on the receiving end of widespread criticism after managing just 64 runs from four innings. Amidst backlash, Babar's fake retirement post on September 3 took social media by storm.
“After much contemplation and reflection, I have decided to step down from Test cricket. This decision comes after a challenging two years where I have struggled to find my form and make the impact I have always aspired to on the Test arena,” the retirement post from a fake Babar account read.
“Playing for Pakistan in Test matches has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I am deeply grateful for the support and love from my teammates, coaches, and especially you, the fans. Your encouragement has been a source of strength for me, and I cannot thank you enough for standing by me during these trying times,” the statement further added.
Babar’s dismissals in second Test
In the second Test, Babar has looked a pale shadow of himself, losing his wicket of deliveries he would tackle easily in his prime. In the first innings, he scored 31 runs from 77 balls and was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan’s arm ball. He was trapped in front of the stumps. In the second innings, he lost his wicket to 21-year-old pacer Nahid Rana. He edged one to first slip fielder Shadman Islam. This was the second time Rana got him out in the Test series.
Gillespie backs Babar to regain form
Despite his low scores in the series, Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie defended Babar who has more than 7,000 runs in the format.
“Babar is a quality player, and he’s got a couple of starts. A bit like quite a few of our players, he hasn’t been able to convert starts. But Babar is a world-class player he’s very close, I feel it. I am really confident that we are going to see Babar scoring big runs very soon. He’s too good a player and looking forward to seeing him doing well,” Gillespie said in the press conference after the day’s play," Gillespie said in the press conference after Day 4’s play was cut-short due to rain.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK: