'Hasn’t scored a Test hundred in years' - Basit Ali questions Babar Azam’s greatness after two low scores in Lord’s Test vs England

Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord's from August 27 to 30, 2026, a result that handed England an unassailable 2-0 series lead. Babar Azam returned to the squad after recovering from a finger injury that ruled him out of the first Test. However, his comeback proved disappointing as he managed scores of 8 and 6 in the match.

In the second innings, Babar fell for 6 after miscuing a half-pull against Jofra Archer's bouncer. This mode of dismissal drew particular scrutiny from former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali, who questioned the batsman's approach during a difficult period for the team.

Basit Ali's assessment of Babar's status as a great player centred on the batsman's inability to perform when the team needed him most.

"They didn't become great players just like that. I'm not even talking about Sachin Tendulkar. I'm talking about my own countrymen," Ali said on The Game Plan.

"When you don't do anything in difficult times, what's the point? You're a great player in your fan following. You're a great player in front of social media," he added.

The former cricketer highlighted a concerning trend in Babar's recent record and expressed frustration at the gap between his reputation and his output on the field.

"When will you do it? I'm talking about Babar [Azam]. I'll take his name. He hasn't scored a (Test) hundred in four years. When will you do it? It's a matter of pain. When the entire country's batting depends on you. At least don't get out by hitting such a shot," he concluded.

Babar's 2026 Test record presented a mixed picture heading into the Lord's encounter. Across eight Tests in the year, he had accumulated 322 runs, a tally that reflected inconsistency at the highest level. His performance against West Indies immediately before the England tour had been more encouraging, where he scored 193 runs at an average of 96.50 with two half-centuries across the series that concluded on August 5, 2026.

Against England specifically, Babar carried a strong historical record into the Lord's Test. In 14 innings against England prior to this match, he averaged 53.83 and had registered a half-century or century in seven outings. Across six innings in England before Lord's, he averaged 65.75 with three half-centuries to his name.

The Lord's Test marked a significant departure from that established standard, with his two low scores failing to contribute meaningfully to Pakistan's batting effort in either innings.