Breaking The Myth- Babar Azam's Reality, A Dream Or Hallucination For Pakistan?

Babar Azam and Mohsin Naqvi - (Source: AFP)

Pakistan’s Test cricket has hit a rock-bottom and they need Babar Azam to restore the lost glory. The Asian side are currently on a tour to England for a three-match Test series. Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat in the 1st Test, which caused an uproar.

Babar Azam missed the 1st Test due to injury, resulting in Salman Ali Agha making his captaincy debut. England registered a comfortable win by an innings and 103 runs. English media went bonkers and labelled the current side as the worst Test side in the last 50 years.

Babar Azam Touted To Rescue Pakistan From The Crumble

Pakistan media, in reply, laid all their hopes on Babar and cited his absence as the reason behind the defeat. Further, several pundits also warned of a different-looking Pakistan once Babar Azam returns to the Test side, which could be possible from the Lord’s Test on August 27. 

Meanwhile, this article will shed dive deep and find out whether the 31-year-old’s presence is really the key to winning for Pakistan or its just a myth. Hence, this article will look at Pakistan’s win record with and without Babar since the right-handed batter’s debut on October 13, 2016.

Former English pacer, Stuart Broad, went on to suggest that Babar might walk in and score 250 runs alone. 

"But yeah, Pakistan will need a big change of luck to threaten England in the second test. And they can. Babar Azam could get 250... when you've got those sort of players in there. And that's what they'll have to hope for," Stuart Broad said to Jos Buttler in a 'For the Love of Cricket' video.

Pakistan’s Test Record Since Babar ’s Debut

(Pakistan's Performance in Test cricket since Babar Azam's Debut)

The 31-year-old made his Test debut for Pakistan on October 13, 2016 against West Indies. In the last 10 years, Pakistan have played 73 Tests. Shockingly, the Asian side have won just 25 matches, lost 40 and drawn 8 matches. 

Overall, Pakistan have a win record of just 34.2% since Azam’s debut. 

Pakistan’s Test Record With And Without Babar

(Pakistan's Test Record With and Without Babar Azam in the Playing XI)

Out of the 73 Tests, Babar Azam has featured in 64 red-ball matches. In his presence, Pakistan have played 64 Tests, winning only 22 matches. Pakistan have lost 34 matches with Babar being part of the playing XI and drawn 8 matches.

Therefore, Pakistan have a win record of just 34.37% with the right-handed batter in the playing XI.

Also Read: Babar Azam's Double Century Predicted For Lord's Test

Without the 31-year-old, Pakistan have played just 9 Tests, winning 3 matches and losing six games, including the recent defeat against England. Pakistan’s win record drops marginally to 33.33% without Babar in the team. 

Conclusion

The notion that Pakistan are a better side with Babar Azam in it is untrue. The stats clearly suggest that there is hardly any difference in Pakistan’s win/loss record with or without their Test talisman. The Babar Azam-led side have won 33% of matches without Babar and 34% of their games with the 31-year-old being part of the playing XI.

As a matter of fact, Pakistan don’t miss Babar the player, but the leader. If we look at Pakistan’s stats with Babar as a captain, then the right-handed batter has led Pakistan in 22 Test matches, winning 11 games, losing 7 matches and drawing 4 games.

Therefore, Pakistan have a win record of 50% when Babar is the captain. Without him as captain, Pakistan have played 51 Test matches since 2016, having a win record of just 27.45%.

Hence, Pakistan need their skipper to be back for the 2nd and 3rd Test because of his leadership skills. However, the real issue here is that the leadership is out of picture because Pakistan batters are playing horribly poor cricket. The team put up a aggregate score of just 306 runs across two innings.

Pakistan batters can wake up to the reality that if they don't perform as a collective, Babar Azam's inclusion won't make much of a difference.

Also Read: Stuart Broad Disrespects Pakistan Again After Controversy Breaks Out