"Fraud from Day 1": Babar Azam told to retire by fans after painful outing in Lahore Test

Babar Azam slammed by fans yet again [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @Cricknight07/X.com]

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam failed to live up to his comeback hype in the first Test against South Africa as Simon Harmer dismissed him on 23 off 48 balls. Babar, after getting dropped from the T20I side, was on the sidelines for the last 2 months. He apparently worked hard in the nets to improve his game and regain form.

However, in the very first inning of the Lahore Test against South Africa, Babar and his flawed technique were exposed.

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Babar Azam trolled on social media for a cheap dismissal

With Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood setting a platform with a 161-run partnership, Babar Azam walked out to bat at no.4. He got off to a steady start, scoring 23 off 48 balls.

Since the pitch appeared suitable for batting, Babar was expected to snap out of his troubling rough patch and finally break the jinx. Instead, the former skipper poured water on the fans’ hopes.

South Africa’s spinner Simon Harmer floated a full delivery outside off that spun sharply back into Babar Azam. 

Babar, looking to defend, played down the wrong line and was struck flush on the front pad. The umpire’s finger stayed down initially, but South Africa decided to take the review, and it proved to be a masterstroke.

The ball-tracking then revealed three reds, pitching outside off, impact in line, and crashing into the leg stump and the decision was overturned, meaning Babar had to walk back.

With yet another failure in red-ball cricket, Babar Azam faced fans’ heat. Many called for his immediate ouster from international cricket, saying his technique and skills are not up to the standards.

"Mohammad Babar Azam 2022-2025" - @federecobabar_2

Fan tweet [Source:  @federecobabar_2/X.com]

"Century? It’s been 1,021 days since Babar Azam’s last Test fifty! 😭😭😭😭😭" - @Salahotro

"Babar azam can't score against part timer either he was fraud from Day 1 #ShubmanGill score 5 test centuries in last 7 test matches and this fraud Babar scored his last hundred in international cricket 3 years ago #PAKvsSA" - @Alinazirbutt

Fan tweets [Source: @Salahotro,@Alinazirbutt /X.com]

"Why Babar Azam still playing cricket in 2025? Only for humiliation & embarrassment??"- @Cricknight07

"Babar Azam should retire from cricket how can someone still not learn how to play spin in after all the pr nets training he does. Garbage batter prolly will be dropped after this series for good." - @Samiizsleepin

Fan tweets [Source: @Cricknight07,@Samiizsleepin /X.com]

Notably, since the last 73 innings, Babar Azam hasn’t scored a single century in Test format. His average in the last 14 Tests is just 23.57. Not only that, it's been over 1000 days since Azam last scored a fifty in the whites.

Needless to say, his form is a worrying sign for Pakistan, whose competitiveness and standards are falling with each passing day. 

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