Early Dismissal Adds to Babar Azam’s ODI Struggles
Pakistan’s premier batter Babar Azam once again failed to deliver with the bat, getting dismissed for a duck in the second ODI against the West Indies at Tarouba, Trinidad. Coming in at 37/1 after the early loss of Saim Ayub, Babar walked out with the responsibility of stabilizing the innings. However, his stay at the crease lasted just three balls, as Jayden Seales produced a beauty that sent him back to the pavilion.
Seales had already dismissed Ayub and was clearly in rhythm. Babar defended the first two balls cautiously, but the third delivery—a fuller one that nipped off the seam—proved to be his undoing. Attempting a flick with an angled bat, Babar misjudged the movement. The ball snuck between his bat and pad, clipped the pads, and crashed into the stumps. Babar was visibly shocked, gesturing as if surprised by the movement, but many fans and analysts questioned his technique and shot selection against the moving ball.
Pakistan in Deep Trouble After Babar’s Wicket
Babar’s wicket triggered a collapse in Pakistan’s batting lineup. At the time of reporting, Pakistan had slumped to 139/6 in 33.5 overs, struggling to rebuild after the top-order failure. The pressure mounted quickly after the skipper’s early exit, and Pakistan’s middle order couldn’t stand firm against the disciplined West Indies bowling attack.
This duck adds to Babar’s worrying form in ODI cricket in 2025. So far, he’s averaging just above 30 with a strike rate hovering around 80—numbers that are underwhelming for a player of his stature. His inability to accelerate or dominate in critical moments has sparked debate about his position in the limited-overs setup. He has already been dropped from the T20I squad due to his low strike rate and conservative approach, and now questions are being raised about his ODI role as well.
While Babar remains one of Pakistan’s most technically sound batters, his recent performances suggest a decline in confidence and adaptability. With tough series ahead, Pakistan will need their former captain to regain form quickly—or risk falling behind in the run-up to major international tournaments.
