Pakistan vs West Indies: Should Babar Azam be rested for the PAK vs WI 2nd Test?

Pakistan's star batter and former captain, Babar Azam, has been in the spotlight recently due to his inconsistent performances in Test cricket. While he has been a dominant figure in the shorter formats, his form in Test cricket has raised concerns. Former cricketer Basit Ali has suggested that Babar should be rested during the ongoing series against the West Indies to protect his confidence and give him a chance to regroup. Babar’s fluctuating form has been evident during Pakistan's Test campaign against the West Indies, which has largely lost significance in terms of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings. With Australia and South Africa having already secured their spots in the WTC final, Pakistan’s series against the Windies has become a "dead rubber" in terms of the competition.

However, despite the lack of high stakes, Pakistan made a solid start to the series, securing a 127-run victory in the first Test in Multan. Despite the win, Babar Azam’s individual performance was a point of concern. The talented batter struggled to make an impact on a challenging pitch, managing just 8 and 5 runs in his two innings. With the team’s overall performance on track, resting Babar could give him the mental and physical break needed to rediscover his form for upcoming series.

Babar Azam's recent form in red-ball cricket has been disappointing, with the Pakistan captain failing to score a half-century since the start of 2023. While he showed signs of recovery during Pakistan's tour of South Africa, where he registered three fifties in four ODI innings, his struggles in Test cricket, particularly in home conditions, have raised concerns. Babar’s underwhelming performance on a rank turner in the first Test against the West Indies, where he scored just 8 and 5, has added to the worry. His inability to make an impact on a difficult pitch highlighted his ongoing struggles in the longer format.

Former cricketer Basit Ali has called on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider resting Babar for the second Test, arguing that his continued failure in tough conditions could be damaging to his confidence and overall form. Ali believes that taking a break from the format might help Babar regroup and return to his best when conditions are more favorable. With the series against the West Indies no longer affecting the World Test Championship standings, it could be an opportunity for Babar to regain his rhythm before more challenging assignments ahead.

“Pakistan is damaging Babar’s confidence when he has just regained his rhythm. Since Pakistan won’t qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, it would be wise to rest him. If you want to keep him in the Playing XI, prepare better pitches. If the pitch is similar to the first Test, it could harm the players’ confidence further. Babar struggled in the first Test, but he found his form in South Africa, scoring runs in both ODIs and Tests,” former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.