Babar Azam’s Rollercoaster Week Ends in Duck & ICC Fine
What a difference a week makes. Just days after the cricketing world celebrated Babar Azam breaking his 807-day international century drought with a composed 104*, the Pakistani superstar’s fortunes nosedived dramatically. A misconduct fine from the ICC, followed by a first-ball duck against Zimbabwe, has reignited fierce debate about his form, leadership, and future .
Table of Contents
- The Highs: Century Relief at Last
- The Lows: ICC Reprimand and a Golden Duck
- Form Crisis or Temporary Slump?
- Voices from Within: PCB and Fans React
- What Next for Babar Azam?
- Conclusion
- Sources
The Highs: Century Relief at Last
On November 12, 2025, in Rawalpindi, Babar Azam silenced critics—temporarily—by scoring his first international century since September 2023 . Facing Zimbabwe in the first ODI, he crafted a patient 104* off 113 balls, anchoring Pakistan’s innings with trademark elegance. The relief was palpable: fans cheered, teammates hugged him, and even skeptics acknowledged the psychological weight lifted.
For a player once ranked the No. 1 ODI and T20I batter in the world, the drought had become a heavy narrative. This century was meant to be the reset button—a return to vintage Babar.
The Lows: ICC Reprimand and a Golden Duck
But the comeback story quickly unraveled. During the same ODI series, the ICC charged Babar with a Level 1 breach of the Code of Conduct—likely for dissent or inappropriate language—and fined him 15% of his match fee . While minor in penalty, it added to growing concerns about his on-field composure under pressure.
Then came the final T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare. Opening the batting, Babar was clean bowled by a sharp in-swinging yorker from Richard Ngarava for a golden duck . This marked his third duck in just six T20Is—a staggering stat for a player of his caliber. His T20I strike rate has also dipped below 120 in 2025, far from his peak efficiency .
Form Crisis or Temporary Slump?
Let’s put the numbers in perspective:
- Since January 2024: 18 T20I innings, average of 21.4, with 3 ducks.
- ODI average in 2025: 38.2 (an improvement, but still below his career 57.0).
- Recent dismissals: Mostly to full, straight deliveries—suggesting a technical vulnerability against inswing or yorkers.
Experts argue this isn’t just bad luck. As former England batter Nick Knight noted on Sky Sports, “Great players adapt. Babar’s trigger movement seems delayed now—he’s committing too early” . This aligns with observable trends in his footwork and shot selection over the past 18 months.
Voices from Within: PCB and Fans React
Amid rising public frustration, former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja urged patience: “Babar carries the hopes of a nation. He needs support, not vilification. Let him find rhythm through performance” .
Yet fan sentiment on social media tells a different story. Hashtags like #BabarOut and #DropBabar trended after the duck, reflecting deepening disillusionment—especially with the T20 World Cup 2026 looming. For many, his struggles symbolize a broader stagnation in Pakistan’s middle order, a topic we’ve explored in our [INTERNAL_LINK:Analysis] section.
What Next for Babar Azam?
Babar now faces a critical juncture. He has two paths:
- Technical overhaul: Work with coaches to fix his stance against pace and yorkers, possibly simplifying his trigger movement.
- Role redefinition: Step down from white-ball captaincy to focus purely on batting, as Virat Kohli did in 2021—a move that revived his form.
The PCB has so far backed him publicly, but internal reviews are reportedly underway. With Pakistan’s next major assignment being the ICC Champions Trophy in early 2026, time is running out for a turnaround.
Conclusion
Babar Azam remains one of cricket’s most gifted batters—but talent alone isn’t enough under sustained pressure. His week—from emotional century to ICC fine to a humiliating duck—captures the volatile reality of modern elite sport. Whether this is a rock bottom before a resurgence or the beginning of a decline depends on his response in the coming weeks. One thing is certain: the world will be watching.