The England cricket team is currently engaged in a tour of Pakistan, where they are competing in a three-match Test series. The opening match is taking place at the Multan Stadium. On the first day of play, Pakistan’s batsmen dominated the game, capitalizing on a flat pitch to amass a significant score. However, the highlight of the day was overshadowed by the struggles of former captain Babar Azam, who continues to battle poor form, failing to convert his opportunities into substantial innings.
Babar Azam’s Ongoing Struggles
Babar Azam’s performance has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike. Having been in a slump for an extended period, he has not showcased a significant innings for some time. With conditions favoring batting at the Multan Stadium, expectations were high for Babar to make a strong contribution. Unfortunately, he managed to score only 30 runs off 71 balls before falling to an LBW decision by England fast bowler Chris Woakes. Babar opted for a DRS review, but the decision stood, marking another disappointing chapter in his recent Test career.
Chris Woakes: A Special Milestone
This wicket held special significance for Chris Woakes, as it marked his first Test wicket in Asia in a staggering 2858 days. His last Test wicket on the continent was back in 2016 during a series against India, where he dismissed the formidable Virat Kohli. Eight years later, Woakes ended his long wait by claiming the crucial wicket of Babar Azam, intensifying the narrative of his return to form.
Babar’s Dismal Run of Outs
For Babar Azam, the struggles have extended beyond just a few innings. He has not recorded a half-century in his last 17 Test innings, highlighting a significant drop in performance. This recent lapse has prompted him to relinquish the captaincy of both the ODI and T20 teams, hoping to refocus on his batting. However, his failures in the first innings against England revealed that he has yet to regain his batting touch.
Pakistan’s Strength in Numbers
Despite Babar’s woes, the Pakistani batting lineup showed resilience, with captain Shan Masood and opener Abdullah Shafiq orchestrating a splendid display. Masood scored 151 runs off 177 balls, marking his first Test century in four years, while Shafiq contributed significantly with an innings of 102 runs. Together, they forged a remarkable partnership of 253 runs for the second wicket, propelling Pakistan to a commanding 328 runs for four wickets at the close of the first day.
As play resumed on the second day, Pakistan aimed to build upon this impressive score, with Saud Shakeel still at the crease on 35 runs and night watchman Naseem Shah yet to get off the mark. For England, Gus Atkinson was the standout bowler, claiming two wickets, while Jack Leach captured one, as the visitors sought to break through a resilient Pakistani batting order.
