And if Babar hoped Edgbaston would lastly convey an finish to his long-running Check century drought, England's bowlers had different plans.
The century that by no means appears to reach
Babar's final Check century got here manner again in December 2022, when he scored an unbeaten 161 towards New Zealand in Karachi. Greater than three-and-a-half years later, the three-figure mark stays stubbornly out of attain.
Since that hundred, Babar has gone by way of an prolonged lean spell in Check cricket. His struggles turned so pronounced that he was dropped from Pakistan's Check facet through the 2024 dwelling sequence towards England after managing solely 30 and 5 within the opening Check.
The numbers have continued to make uncomfortable studying. By late August 2026, Babar had gone 17 Exams and 36 innings and not using a Check century, with a highest rating of solely 81 throughout that interval.
Three Exams, three totally different disappointments
Babar's returns within the ongoing England sequence have hardly supplied a lot encouragement. He missed the primary Check at Headingley due to harm earlier than returning at Lord's, the place he scored 8 within the first innings and 6 within the second.
At Edgbaston, the stress was even higher. Pakistan had already made 4 adjustments to their XI, together with three Check debutants, after the heavy defeat at Lord's. Babar was purported to be the skilled head guiding the new-look batting order.
As an alternative, Josh Tongue rattled his off stump for 7.
Babar requested Pakistan to disregard the noise
The irony was tough to overlook. On the toss, Babar insisted Pakistan weren’t bothered by the criticism surrounding the workforce and stated the gamers have been concentrating on what they may management.
“Exterior noise will not be underneath (our) management, we aren’t fascinated about exterior noises. We’re simply attempting to do our greatest on this match,” Babar stated.
A couple of hours later, Pakistan's scoreboard had develop into the loudest supply of noise. Babar's dismissal got here with Pakistan 5 wickets down for under 48, and by lunch England had decreased them to 100 for seven.
