Babar Azam's Struggles Continue as Woakes Dismisses Him in First Test

Babar Azam's Ongoing Battles on the Test Field

Heading into the first Test against Pakistan in Multan, Chris Woakes hadn't played a Test in Asia in eight years. His last appearance came at Wankhede against India in December 2016, where he recorded 1/79 in 16 overs.

Woakes, in all likelihood, would not have played this ongoing Multan Test had Mark Wood been fit, but an injury to Wood left the English management no choice but to trust Woakes given the inexperienced nature of other bowlers in the squad.

Setting the Scene in Multan

On a surface as flat as a pancake, Woakes toiled hard. After 14 tiring overs, it seemed he would end Day 1 wicketless. However, Woakes struck gold on his 15th over of the day—on the stroke of stumps, he got the prized scalp of Babar Azam. Woakes trapped Babar with a delivery that nipped back to claim his first wicket in Asia in 2858 days.

Indeed, Woakes’ last wicket in Asia came on December 11, 2016, at Wankhede, where the batter was none other than Virat Kohli, who had already scored 235 runs.

Babar's Dismal Run in Tests

On this occasion, the 35-year-old dismissed Babar for just 30, ensuring that the right-hander's horror streak in Test cricket continues. Babar has now gone an astonishing 17 innings without a Test fifty, with his last 50+ score recorded back on Boxing Day 2022 against New Zealand in Karachi. He has since averaged 21.23 in Tests, managing to surpass the 40-run mark only once.

Current Match Status

At 261/1, Pakistan seemed in a commanding position at one point on Day 1, but as stumps fell at 328/4, the match hangs in the balance.

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