Babar Azam's Century Drought Continues Despite Strong Pakistan Performance

Babar Azam's quest for a Test century continues as he falls short with a score of 76 during the final Test against England at Edgbaston. Despite his efforts, Pakistan managed to set a competitive target of 129 runs, thanks to significant contributions from Shan Masood and others. The match has sparked discussions on social media regarding Babar's shot selection and performance under pressure. As the game progresses, all eyes remain on the Pakistan captain to see if he can finally break his century drought.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 12, 2026, 00:00 IST

Babar Azam Falls Short of Century at Edgbaston

Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan's Test team, remains without a century after being dismissed for 76 runs on the third day of the final Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Following a disappointing first innings where they were all out for 133, Pakistan rebounded impressively, surpassing the 400-run mark. Key contributions came from Shan Masood (95), Azan Awais (59), and Babar Azam (76), who helped stabilize the innings.

Masood's 125-run partnership with Awais for the third wicket was crucial after two early wickets fell. He then partnered with Azam for another significant 89-run stand, marking the first time Pakistan crossed 200 runs in this series against England. Azam also added a 64-run partnership with Saud Shakeel (29).

Babar Azam's Ongoing Struggles

As Pakistan fought back at Edgbaston, attention turned to Babar Azam, who had a disappointing performance in the previous Lord's Test, scoring just 6 and 8 runs. In the first innings of the final Test, he was dismissed for only 7 runs by Josh Tongue.

With his form under scrutiny, Azam knew he needed a significant score to silence critics. He reached his fifty in 76 balls, hinting at a return to form. However, his attempt to reach a century ended in disappointment due to a poor shot selection.

While batting at 76 off 102 balls, Azam attempted a pull shot off Tongue but ended up gloving the ball to wicketkeeper Jordan Cox, leaving him just 24 runs shy of a long-awaited Test century.

Social Media Reaction to Babar's Dismissal

Babar Azam's dismissal has ignited a wave of criticism on social media, with fans expressing their disappointment over his shot selection and inability to convert a solid start into a century.

Many users on X criticized his discomfort against short balls, suggesting he threw away his wicket at a crucial moment. Some questioned his aggressive approach after settling in, while others pointed out his ongoing struggles against bouncers.

Comments ranged from critiques of his technique to accusations of prioritizing personal milestones over team needs, highlighting a growing frustration among fans regarding his performance.

Pakistan Sets Competitive Target

Despite Babar's dismissal, Pakistan managed to post a total of 449 runs in 96.4 overs, setting England a target of 129 runs. A notable 121-run partnership between Razullah (81) and Mohammad Abbas (42) for the ninth wicket significantly bolstered Pakistan's total, putting pressure back on the English side as the match enters a critical phase.