Pakistan Leads Series Despite Babar Azam’s Struggles
Pakistan secured a 127-run victory against the West Indies in the first Test of the two-match series, thanks to exceptional spin bowling led by Sajid Khan, who claimed a five-wicket haul.
However, Babar Azam struggled with the bat, scoring just 13 runs across both innings, prompting former cricketer Basit Ali to suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) consider resting him for the second Test.
Basit Ali’s Recommendations
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali raised concerns about Babar’s confidence following his poor performance in the first Test. He advised:
- Resting Babar Azam for the second Test in Multan (January 25-29).
- Preparing better pitches that align with Babar’s playing style if he remains in the squad.
- Focusing on Babar’s long-term well-being to preserve his form for future challenges.
Pakistan’s World Test Championship Prospects
Basit Ali noted that Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final are slim, which makes this series an opportunity to manage player workloads.
He also highlighted the potential risks of overexposing players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan on challenging pitches, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaching.
A History of Ups and Downs for Babar
Babar Azam had a difficult phase last year:
- He was dropped for the second and third Tests against England.
- Missed the white-ball series against Zimbabwe.
However, he made a strong comeback during Pakistan’s tour of South Africa.
Second Test in Multan
The second and final Test of the series will be held in Multan from January 25-29. With Pakistan leading 1-0, the team will look to seal the series while balancing the workload of its key players.
