Pakistan star Babar Azam ended 2023 without scoring a single Test fifty and his struggles with the bat were evident during the Boxing Day Test match against Australia in Melbourne. Babar was dismissed for 41 runs by Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood on the fourth day of the second Test at the MCG, falling short of the fifty-run mark yet again.

Babar’s performance in 2023 has been underwhelming, with only 204 runs scored in 10 innings of Test cricket. His average in Australia, a challenging venue for many visiting batsmen, stands at a modest 24.15 from 2016 to 2023. This year, he has not managed to score a single Test fifty, which is a stark contrast to his overall Test average of 46.37 from 51 matches.

Babar’s dismissal for 41 added to the pressure on Pakistan, who were set a target of 317 runs by Australia after they were bowled out for 262 in the first session. Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf expressed support for Babar amidst his poor form, encouraging him with the words, “It can’t rain forever.” Babar’s lackluster performance has been a talking point since the Asia Cup 2023, and his difficulties against spin were highlighted during the World Cup 2023. His captaincy was also brought into question, and he was eventually relieved of his leadership duties across all formats, with hopes that it would allow him to return to his top form.

Despite the challenges faced by Babar Azam in 2023, fans and supporters look forward to seeing him bounce back and regain his status as one of the premier batsmen in international cricket. As the year concludes, the focus will be on how he adapts and overcomes this phase of his career.