Twitter Reactions: Babar Azam's rough patch in Tests continues, fails to score big on flat Multan track

Babar Azam is going through a lean patch as the batter has not returned to form of late. The Multan pitch for the first Test against England turned out to be a belter, but the former Pakistan skipper continued his Test slump, getting dismissed for 30 runs off 71 balls in the first innings. He could not better it as he was plucked out by Gus Atkinson for just five runs off 15 balls in the second innings.

This was the 18^th consecutive score of Babar that is lower than 50 runs in Tests since December 2022. His last fifty-plus score came against New Zealand in December 2022 when he had scored 161 runs. His highest score post that remains 41 against Australia in the Melbourne Test in December 2023.

Also Read: Pietersen continues criticism over belter Multan track

Speaking of his batting in Tests in 2024, he has featured in four matches and has just 148 runs to his name with an average around 18.50. In eight innings, he has gone past the 30-run mark only twice in 2024. He has fallen victim to pacers six times and averages around 28 against spinners. For pacers, he averages around 17. During the tough phase of the right-handed batter, former PCB Chief, Ramiz Raja had backed the 29-year-old and pointed at high hopes and sharp criticisms.

"Unfortunately what happens is when you lose a match and you haven't scored runs and if you are Babar Azam, then you become a headline -- how did we lose? What did he do? What was his contribution? And then this is the era of social media. Jiska dil chahe woh kisi ki bhi patloon utar sakta hai (anybody can criticise and ridicule anyone)...this should be discouraged as much as possible,” said Raja as quoted by TOI.

Here's how 'X' users reacted to Babar's dismissal: