Babar Azam’s recent performances have pushed him back into the centre of Pakistan’s cricketing conversation, but the spotlight is sharper than ever. His long-awaited ODI century has revived belief in his match-winning potential, yet his erratic T20 form continues to cast doubt on whether he can deliver the same authority across formats. Right now, Babar finds himself balancing between resurgence and lingering uncertainty.
His biggest breakthrough came in the second ODI against Sri Lanka, where he finally ended an 807-day wait for an international hundred. The unbeaten 102 he produced in that chase didn’t just secure the match and seal the series — it reaffirmed why he’s still considered Pakistan’s premier white-ball batter. The knock showcased everything he’s known for: technique, patience, control under pressure, and an ability to bat deep. It also pulled him level with Saeed Anwar for Pakistan’s most ODI centuries, a milestone that underlined the significance of his comeback. For a player criticised heavily for his dip in form, that innings felt like a timely reminder of his pedigree.
But the relief from that landmark achievement didn’t last long. In the T20 tri-series that followed, Babar’s issues in the shortest format resurfaced brutally. A duck against Zimbabwe — his third in six T20I innings — reopened the conversation about his powerplay tempo and adaptability. The pattern is becoming too noticeable to ignore: bowlers targeting him early with movement, and Babar falling before he can settle. As a top-order player expected to lead with intent, such repeated early dismissals are raising questions about whether his foundational batting style is meshing well with modern T20 demands.
The inconsistency has had wider consequences. For the first time in six years, he slipped out of the ICC ODI batting rankings’ top five. That drop reflects not just the century drought he recently broke, but an extended period of middling scores that lacked the dominance he once showed routinely. Analysts argue that while his technique is world-class, his strike rotation and pace control — especially in T20Is — have not evolved at the same pace as the global game.
Even so, Babar’s broader value to Pakistan cricket isn’t suddenly diminished. His leadership in the tri-series, his influence in the dressing room, and his capability to anchor difficult chases keep him essential to the team’s plans. What Pakistan need from him now is something he has delivered before — sustained, format-spanning consistency. A single century won’t silence the sceptics; he must string together innings that show his ODI revival isn’t a one-off and address the stagnation visible in his T20 approach.
In many ways, Babar stands at a crossroads. One path leads back to the elite tier where he once dominated rankings and headlines. The other is a slide into becoming a player who shines occasionally but no longer defines Pakistan’s batting identity. With major tournaments and high-pressure series ahead, the next few months will reveal which version of Babar Azam will shape Pakistan’s future.
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