PAK vs ENG: Babar Azam out for five after England declare at 823/7, angry fans ask him to retire

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PAK vs ENG: After England took a 267-run lead after declaring at 823/7 on Day 4 of the ongoing first Test in Multan, Babar Azam was dismissed for five as Pakistan stuttered towards a humiliating defeat.

Babar Azam, who scored 30 off 71 in the first innings, could last for just 15 balls in the second innings before falling to England's new pace sensation Gus Atkonson. The wicket reduced Pakistan to 41/3, and triggered a collapse in the final session of the fourth day.

Expectations were high from the batting superstar after England batters made merry on the flat Multan surface having no support for the bowlers. Joe Root scored 262 runs, while Harry Brook hit a triple hundred for England.

Even Pakistan scored 556 in the first innings after hundreds from captain Shan Masood and Agha Salman. However, Babar Azam's poor run with the bat continued. Soon after he departed, Pakistan were reduced to 82/6.

The hosts were whitewashed 2-0 by Bangladesh in a home Test in August-September and as they neared a defeat against England despite scoring 556 in the first innings, fans vented their anger at the team and Babar Azam.

"High time Babar Azam is dropped from the team. Jokes and memes aside, he is killing our cricket," a fan wrote on X.

"Babar Azam should not be dropped, he should simply retire," wrote another.

Babar Azam's form has been a concern for a while now, and his last fifty-plus score in Test cricket came back in December 2020. His white-ball hasn't been very promising either. Pakistan crashed out from the first round of T20 World Cup 2024 under his captaincy. Babar gave up the Pakistan T20I captaincy just ahead of the first Test against England.