Signing you in

The poor returns have once again put the spotlight on Babar’s prolonged Test-century drought. His last hundred came against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022, and the Pakistan skipper has now gone around four years without reaching three figures in the format, despite remaining one of the country’s most high-profile batters.

Basit did not hold back while questioning whether Babar had delivered enough when Pakistan needed him most.

“They didn’t become great players just like that. I’m not even talking about Sachin Tendulkar. I’m talking about my own countrymen. When you don’t do anything in difficult times, what’s the point? You’re a great player in your fan following. You’re a great player in front of social media,” Basit said on YouTube show The Game Plan.

“When will you do it? I’m talking about Babar [Azam]. I’ll take his name. He hasn’t scored a (Test) hundred in four years. When will you do it? It’s a matter of pain. When the entire country’s batting depends on you. At least don’t get out by hitting such a shot,” he added.

Pakistan’s batting has been the biggest concern of the series, with the team failing to cross 200 in any of their innings so far. At Lord’s, they were bowled out for 110 in the first innings before managing 194 while chasing a daunting target of 389. Saud Shakeel’s 97 was the lone major act of resistance in the second innings.

Pakistan now face the prospect of a 3-0 whitewash when the final Test begins in Birmingham on September 9, while Babar will once again carry the weight of expectation as he looks to silence his growing list of critics.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Sep 1, 2026 22:31 IST