Nervous 10s! Babar Azam struggles to get to double-digit; After 8,6 at Lord's, Pakistan captain falls for 7 at Edgbaston

Babar Azam's wait for a Test century has officially entered the territory where even the calendar seems to be running out of patience. The Pakistan captain walked into the third Test against England at Edgbaston with plenty on his shoulders after a turbulent week that saw major changes to the squad. He walked back out with just seven runs, bowled by Josh Tongue, as Pakistan's batting collapse continued.And if Babar was hoping Edgbaston would finally bring an end to his long-running Test century drought, England's bowlers had other plans.The century that never seems to arriveBabar's last Test century came way back in December 2022, when he scored an unbeaten 161 against New Zealand in Karachi. More than three-and-a-half years later, the three-figure mark remains stubbornly out of reach.Since that hundred, Babar has gone through an extended lean spell in Test cricket. His struggles became so pronounced that he was dropped from Pakistan's Test side during the 2024 home series against England after managing only 30 and five in the opening Test.The numbers have continued to make uncomfortable reading. By late August 2026, Babar had gone 17 Tests and 36 innings without a Test century, with a highest score of only 81 during that period.Three Tests, three different disappointmentsBabar's returns in the ongoing England series have hardly offered much encouragement. He missed the first Test at Headingley because of injury before returning at Lord's, where he scored 8 in the first innings and 6 in the second.At Edgbaston, the pressure was even greater. Pakistan had already made four changes to their XI, including three Test debutants, after the heavy defeat at Lord's. Babar was supposed to be the experienced head guiding the new-look batting order.Instead, Josh Tongue rattled his off stump for 7.Babar asked Pakistan to ignore the noiseThe irony was difficult to miss. At the toss, Babar insisted Pakistan were not bothered by the criticism surrounding the team and said the players were concentrating on what they could control.“Outside noise is not under (our) control, we are not thinking about outside noises. We are just trying to do our best in this match,” Babar said.A few hours later, Pakistan's scoreboard had become the loudest source of noise. Babar's dismissal came with Pakistan five wickets down for only 48, and by lunch England had reduced them to 100 for seven.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.