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Pakistan to shatter Babar Azam's T20 World Cup dream? Record since comeback analysed

Debashis Sarangi

Babar Azam in action [Source: AFP]Babar Azam in action [Source: AFP]

Babar Azam is undoubtedly Pakistan's greatest T20I batter of all time, having registered the most runs in the format. The stylish right-hander recently starred with a gritty cameo, leading Pakistan to a memorable tri-series final win over Sri Lanka. 

The star batter made a comeback to the T20I side after Pakistan suffered three crushing defeats, including one in the final, in the Asia Cup. Although he contributed 74 runs to the total against Zimbabwe, Babar struggled to get going against stronger opponents, and the stats back it up. 

Babar Azam's T20I record in two halves: What do the numbers say?

Babar Azam's scores since T20I comeback: 0, 11*, 68, 0, 16, 74, 0, 37*

Criterion
Before getting dropped
Since comeback
Innings1218
Runs4223206
Average39.8334.33
Strike Rate129.22114.44

(Babar Azam's T20I record in two halves)

As evidenced by the above stats, Babar Azam hasn't been at his best since making his comeback to T20 Internationals. His average, which stood close to 40 before getting dropped, has dropped to 34.33 in eight matches after his T20I return. 

More importantly, Babar has scored at an abysmal rate of 114.44, much lower than what he had before the T20I snub in December last year. These numbers signify that Babar has been inconsistent while scoring at a sub-par rate in T20Is after making a T20I comeback. 

Babar Azam struggling; but will Pakistan shatter his T20 World Cup dream?

Babar Azam was brought back to the Pakistan T20I setup to stabilise their middle-order, which looked vulnerable in the Asia Cup. His inclusion at number three allowed Pakistan to utilise Fakhar Zaman in the middle order and strengthened their lineup. 

However, despite Babar Azam's underwhelming returns, Pakistan might still not drop him from their T20 World Cup plans due to the following reasons. 

  • Saim Ayub's failure at 3: While Sahibzada Farhan has cemented his place as an opener, Saim Ayub miserably failed at number three in the Asia Cup. Overall, Ayub has managed only 68 runs at a horrendous average of 13.60 at number three. His mediocre returns forced Pakistan to reinstate him at the top and bring Babar at three. So, unless Babar does something horribly wrong, Pakistan might not exclude him from their T20 World Cup plans, especially with roughly two months left for the tournament. 
  • Fakhar back in middle order, No reliable option available: Babar Azam's comeback at number three allowed Pakistan to demote Fakhar Zaman and utilise his big-hitting expertise in the middle order. With Salman Agha blowing hot and cold, Fakhar, Usman Khan and Mohammad Nawaz did considerably well in the T20I tri-series. If Pakistan remove Babar, they will have to bring another reliable top-order batter, a demand that seems tough to fulfil on short notice before the World Cup. Furthermore, as Hasan Nawaz has been dropped due to poor form and Shadab Khan has yet to make a comeback after injury, Babar Azam's snub months before the T20 World Cup seems unlikely. 

Conclusion

Therefore, although Babar Azam hasn't been quite phenomenal with the bat, Pakistan will likely persist with him as his exclusion will further destabilise their lineup. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, last-minute experiments are certainly avoidable and unlikely to do any good for the Men in Green.