Questions about Babar Azam's score today are following Pakistan into Saturday's tri-series final against Sri Lanka, after the former captain made 29 in Tuesday's eight-wicket defeat in Lahore and still waits for a half-century in the event. Pakistan batting coach Mike Smith said the side has no worry about that form, pointing to solid starts and an imminent big knock.
Form so far in the tri-series
Across four innings, Babar has 118 runs and has got going each time without converting those starts into a fifty or more. In Tuesday's match he was Pakistan's top scorer as the hosts were dismissed for 110. Sri Lanka then chased the target with eight wickets in hand, ending Pakistan's unbeaten run in the competition.
Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka took five wickets and troubled Pakistan with the new ball and later in the innings. The result was Pakistan's first loss of the tri-series and imperfect preparation for the title match, though Smith argued the setback itself will not decide Saturday's outcome.
What Mike Smith said about Babar
Smith called the lack of a large score "definitely not a cause for concern." He said the hardest part of batting is getting set, and that Babar is doing that "effortlessly." Had one of those starts become a century, Smith added, the form talk would not exist. Elite sport, he said, does not deliver a peak every time, and those who read the game can see how well Babar is striking the ball.
"We have zero doubt that a big score is imminent, and when it comes, it will be magnificent to watch," Smith said. On Babar Azam's score today as a talking point before the final, that message is the coaching staff's clear line: trust the starts, expect the conversion.
Final still open, coach insists
Smith admitted the defeat was not ideal groundwork for the final, but said it will have "no bearing whatsoever" on who lifts the trophy. In a tri-series of this standard, he argued, few sides stay unbeaten throughout, and a setback along the way is expected. Losing the game before the final, in his view, changes nothing.
A final, he said, comes down to which team handles pressure better on the day and executes under strain. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will settle that on Saturday in Lahore.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Four innings so far: Babar Azam has scored 118 runs in the tri-series, with a start in each knock but no half-century or better.
- Tuesday (Lahore): Pakistan were bowled out for 110; Babar top-scored with 29; Sri Lanka won by eight wickets; Dilshan Madushanka took five wickets; Pakistan's first loss of the event.
- Saturday: Pakistan meet Sri Lanka in the tri-series final.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Babar Azam is series mein abhi tak bari inning nahi bana sake, lekin chaar dafa start zaroor kiya hai—kul 118 runs. Mangal ko Lahore mein Pakistan 110 par all out ho gaya aur Sri Lanka ne aath wickets se jeet liya; Babar ke 29 runs sab se zyada thay. Coach Mike Smith kehte hain tension ki baat nahi, bari score jald aane wali hai. Shanivar ko tri-series ka final hai—us din pressure sambhalna hi faisla karega.
