Babar Azam's fifty-less streak in Tests extends to 19 innings

Babar Azam’s return to Pakistan’s Test side proved to be an unsuccessful one as the right-hander could only manage 4 before nicking one to Aiden Markram at second slip.

Walking in at 36/1 in the 15th over, Babar began his innings with an authoritative boundary on his very first ball. But that particular hit turned out to be a false dawn as he perished on his 11th ball, dabbing a wide delivery from Dane Paterson straight to the hands of Markram, who did not have to move an inch.

The failure means that Babar has now gone 19 consecutive innings in Tests without a fifty-plus score. His last fifty-plus score came in the 2022 Boxing Day Test against New Zealand in Karachi, where he scored 161. Since then, he’s passed the 30-run mark just four times in 18 attempts, and has made only one score over 40. 

In Pakistan’s Test history, only one other batter (Alimuddin) has gone more innings without a fifty-plus score batting in the Top 5. 

Most consecutive innings without a Test fifty for a Pakistan Top 5 batter

Alimuddin - 20 inns (1955-1962)

Babar Azam - 19 inns (2022 - present)

Taufeeq Umar - 19 inns (2003 - 2010)

Shan Masood - 16 inns (2020 - 2023)

Mudassar Nazar - 16 inns (1987-1989)

Babar’s return was an anticipated one, after he had been left out for the last two Tests against England in the home series in October. He looked in good touch in the ODIs, registering fifties in each of the final two 50-over games. The 30-year-old replaced Abdullah Shafique in the Pakistan XI.