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Babar Azam No Longer In Pakistan's Asia Cup Plans? Reasons Why PCB Could Ignore Star Batter

Debashis Sarangi

Babar Azam failed miserably in WI series [Source: AFP]Babar Azam failed miserably in WI series [Source: AFP]

Veteran Pakistan batter Babar Azam had another forgettable outing in the final ODI of the three-match series against the West Indies. Coming in at number three, Babar managed just nine runs off 23 balls before Jayden Seales trapped him in front of the stumps during Pakistan's tricky run-chase. 

Babar Azam was reported to be back in Pakistan's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup edition. However, given he struggled with poor form in the Caribbean, here are three reasons why the experienced cricketer might not be considered for the mega event. 

1) Babar Azam's Poor T20I Form

Criterion
Data
Innings9
Runs200
Average25
Strike Rate113

(Babar Azam's T20I stats since T20 WC 2024)

  • As shown in the above table, Babar Azam has been quite mediocre as a T20I batter since last year's World Cup. In his last T20I series against South Africa, the right-handed batter could amass 31 runs at an average of 15.50. 
  • His inconsistency and modest strike rate prompted the PCB to sideline him from Pakistan's T20I scheme of things. In the meantime, Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan have pretty much cemented their places in the team, having performed admirably in the recently held T20I series against the West Indies. So, this is one of the reasons why Babar might find it incredibly tough to make it into Pakistan's Asia Cup squad. 

2) Fakhar Zaman Expected To Get Fit

  • Explosive batter Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the ODI series against the West Indies after sustaining a hamstring injury. Initially, several reports claimed that Fakhar could miss the Asia Cup, with Babar Azam likely to replace him. 
  • However, as per the latest update, Fakhar is all set to get fitness clearance for the Asia Cup. With Ayub and Farhan claiming two top-order batters' slots, Fakhar will make it into the team if he's available. Considering Babar bats as an anchor at the top order, he won't likely be included in the final fifteen. 

3) Recent Performance Against West Indies

  • Reports had stated that the PCB would consider bringing Babar Azam back into the T20I squad for the Asia Cup if he performed well in the West Indies ODIs. 
  • However, the senior cricketer failed miserably with the bat, as the West Indies pacers, particularly Jayden Seales, exploited his technical flaws. 
  • Overall, he managed just 56 runs across three outings at a horrendous average of 18.67 and a strike rate of 62.22. His middling returns were a major reason why Pakistan suffered an embarrassing ODI series defeat against the Men in Maroon for the first time in 34 years. 
  • Therefore, as he couldn't prove his mettle with the bat in the series, the PCB might ignore Babar Azam for the marquee event.