Emotional Babar Azam Consoled by Jason Gillespie and Shan Masood After Omission - Watch
Jason Gillespie, Shan Masood comforts Babar Azam [Source: @HassanAbbasian/X.com]
Babar Azam faced heartbreak after being dropped from the team for the second and third Tests against England. The decision came after a series of poor performances, leaving Babar visibly emotional. A viral clip captured a touching moment in the Pakistan dugout, where head coach Jason Gillespie, captain Shan Masood, and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood were seen comforting the distraught batter.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later explained their decision to drop Babar, citing the need to prioritize players' current form and fitness. The former captain’s prolonged batting slump had become a cause for concern, leading the new selection committee to make the difficult call.
The video, shared by @HassanAbbasian on X (formerly known as Twitter), shows an unhappy Babar standing quietly as his teammates rally around him, offering words of support. While the clip does not include audio, the body language of those involved tells the story—Babar is visibly shaken.
Watch here - https://x.com/HassanAbbasian/status/1845392792207409626
Babar's last impactful innings came in December 2022, when he scored a brilliant 161 against England in Karachi. Since then, however, the right-hander has struggled, managing only 366 runs across 18 innings, with a disappointing average of 20.33.
Babar’s recent struggles in the longest format of the game have put a strain on his career. He stepped down from the captaincy twice within a year, highlighting the pressure he has faced. With six consecutive Test defeats and an 11-match winless streak at home, Pakistan is desperate for change.
England Crush Pakistan in the First Test
Adding to the team's woes, Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat in the first Test against England, losing by an innings and 47 runs. Despite posting a strong first-innings total of 556, England responded with 823/7, thanks to massive contributions from Joe Root (262) and Harry Brook (317).
In their second innings, trailing by 267 runs, Pakistan was bowled out for just 220, handing England a comfortable win. This defeat was historic, as Pakistan became the first team ever to lose a match by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in their opening innings.
With two more Tests to go in the series, Pakistan fac an uphill battle. The team will be hoping to regroup, bounce back, and give England a tough fight. However, turning things around won’t be easy against an England side riding high on confidence after a dominant start.