Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam horror run of form continued after he was dismissed for knock of five in the second innings of the Multan Test against England as Pakistan find themselves on the cusp of an embarrassing defeat in the series opener.

On a pitch that is evidently flat and has little assistance for bowlers, Babar has failed to get back among the runs. He made a knock of 30 runs in the first innings and managed just five runs in the second outing. The former Pakistan captain has hit a horrid run of form in Test cricket as he has gone almost two years without a half-century in the longest format.

Since a century against New Zealand in December 2022, Babar has now gone 18 innings without hitting a fifty. The 29-year-old has made just 352 runs in Test cricket at an average of 20.70 since the start of 2023.

Babar Azam Faces Heat

The former Pakistan captain is facing heat on social media from fans as he continues to struggle for runs. Some are also calling for the selectors to drop him from the squad amid the extended struggle with Babar showing no signs of an upturn in form.

Talking about the match, Pakistan posted a total of 556 in the first innings after winning the toss and batting first. Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, and Saud Shakeel scored centuries. In reply, England took a 267-run lead by posting a huge total of 823 with a double century from Joe Root and a triple ton by Harry Brook.

At the end of play on Day 4, Pakistan are reeling at 152-6 and are still 115 runs behind. England are just four wickets away from taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The hosts are on the verge of equaling their all-time record and going 11 Tests without a win at home.

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