LAHORE, Pakistan, November 1, 2026: Four years ago, Babar Azam was at the height of his batting powers when he offered a few words of encouragement to Virat Kohli, the Indian superstar struggling through one of the most difficult periods of his international career. On July 14, 2022, Babar wrote, “This too shall pass. Stay strong.” On October 31, 2026, those words came back to him. West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford posted the same message, this time directed at Babar, after the former Pakistan captain suffered a five-ball duck against Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Pakistan went on to win the final by three wickets, successfully chasing 326, but Babar finished the tournament without a single half-century. His five scores were 45, 34, 10, 29 and 0, yielding 118 runs at an average of 23.60. The contrast with 2022 is striking. When Babar supported Kohli, he was ranked No. 1 in both ODI and T20I batting and fourth in Tests. Today, the former Pakistan captain faces growing questions about his technique, conversion rate, batting role and ability to remain the centerpiece of Pakistan’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup. Rutherford’s message has reopened a debate that extends far beyond one disappointing tournament: how should cricket treat its greatest players when the runs stop coming?
TL;DR: How Three Words Connected Babar Azam, Virat Kohli and Sherfane Rutherford
- July 14, 2022: Babar Azam publicly encouraged Virat Kohli during his prolonged international century drought.
- July 16, 2022: Kohli thanked Babar and wished him continued success.
- September 2022: Kohli ended his international century drought with an unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan at the Asia Cup.
- October 2022: Kohli produced his celebrated unbeaten 82 against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
- October 2026: Babar’s ODI tri-series scores were 45, 34, 10, 29 and 0.
- October 31, 2026: Rutherford encouraged Babar with the same phrase the Pakistani had used for Kohli.
- Pakistan’s result: Despite Babar’s duck, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by three wickets to win the ODI tri-series.
- The bigger question: Can Babar rediscover the consistency that made him one of the world’s most accomplished batters?
October 31, 2026: A Five-Ball Duck and a Message From the Caribbean
Babar Azam’s latest disappointment came on an afternoon that ultimately belonged to Pakistan.
Sri Lanka posted 325 in the tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium, setting Pakistan a demanding target of 326.
Pakistan’s chase began badly.
Maaz Sadaqat departed for five, bringing Babar to the crease at an important moment.
Instead of providing the stabilization Pakistan needed, Babar was dismissed for a five-ball duck, caught by Pavan Rathnayake off Dilshan Madushanka.
Pakistan were 14/2 after 3.3 overs.
For supporters who had watched Babar struggle to convert starts throughout the tournament, the dismissal was deeply frustrating.
His previous four scores had included three innings in which he had reached double figures without building a significant contribution.
The final offered an opportunity to answer those questions on the biggest occasion of the competition.
He did not take it.
Yet Pakistan recovered magnificently.
Fakhar Zaman scored 127 from 99 deliveries, Saad Baig contributed 74, Arafat Minhas smashed 61 from 31 balls, and Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 37.
Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi finished the chase with a six as Pakistan reached 331/7 in 48.3 overs.
The comprehensive account of that recovery is available in The Sports Encounter’s report on Pakistan’s remarkable tri-series final victory.
The result created an unusual emotional contrast.
Pakistan celebrated a trophy.
Babar faced another round of criticism.
And from the Caribbean came a public gesture of solidarity.
What Sherfane Rutherford Wrote About Babar Azam
West Indies power-hitter Sherfane Rutherford posted the following message on X on October 31:
This too shall pass, stay strong buddy
#BabarAzamSherfane Rutherford, October 31, 2026
The original Rutherford post on X uses almost exactly the same language Babar had used for Kohli four years earlier.
It is a small gesture, but its historical connection gives it unusual significance.
Rutherford was not discussing a rival’s technical weakness, selection prospects or career statistics.
He was expressing support for a fellow professional experiencing a difficult period.
Was This Rutherford’s Second Message Supporting Babar?
Rutherford was also reported to have questioned Babar’s sudden decline in an October 26 social media message, asking who had jinxed the Pakistan batter.
However, the precise original post and its authenticity have not been independently established through the available primary record.
Consequently, the earlier remark should be understood as a reported expression of support, rather than a fully authenticated quotation.
The October 31 post, by contrast, provides a direct and identifiable public statement.
July 14, 2022: When Babar Azam Reached Across Cricket’s Fiercest Rivalry
To appreciate Rutherford’s message, it is necessary to return to the summer of 2022.
Virat Kohli was experiencing a prolonged struggle for international centuries.
The Indian batter had last scored an international hundred against Bangladesh in November 2019.
By July 2022, he had gone 77 consecutive international innings without reaching three figures.
The criticism was intense.
Questions were being raised about his batting technique, ability to dominate bowlers and place in India’s playing eleven.
Former players debated whether selectors should prioritize current form over reputation.
Social media transformed ordinary dismissals into occasions for wider arguments about his career.
It was during that period that Babar posted his message.
This too shall pass. Stay strong. #ViratKohli
Babar Azam, July 14, 2022
The fact that the message came from Pakistan’s captain made it particularly meaningful.
India and Pakistan have one of international sport’s most emotionally charged rivalries.
Political tensions have restricted bilateral cricket between the countries for years.
Yet Babar publicly recognized something shared by professional athletes across borders: the psychological burden of failing when expectations are exceptionally high.
The ICC’s contemporary July 16, 2022 report confirms the original message and Kohli’s response.
How Virat Kohli Responded
Kohli responded two days later.
Thank you. Keep shining and rising. Wish you all the best.
Virat Kohli, July 16, 2022
For a brief moment, two players representing countries with an intense sporting rivalry demonstrated that professional respect need not disappear when national competition becomes fierce.
The exchange attracted widespread attention precisely because it challenged the hostility frequently associated with India-Pakistan cricket discussions.
Why Babar Said He Supported Kohli
Babar subsequently explained his reasoning in an interview with the ICC.
His central argument was that every professional player can experience a difficult period and that support can provide encouragement when confidence is low.
He suggested that athletes should recognize one another’s difficulties because they understand the pressures involved.
Those comments are especially relevant today.
Babar was not offering a technical solution to Kohli’s batting problems.
He was acknowledging that a poor run of form does not automatically erase years of achievement.
2022 vs 2026: How the Fortunes of Babar Azam and Virat Kohli Changed
In July 2022, the two batters occupied contrasting positions in world cricket.
Babar was enjoying one of the strongest periods of his career.
He topped the ICC ODI and T20I batting rankings and stood fourth among Test batters.
Kohli, meanwhile, was trying to end a century drought that had become an increasingly dominant part of the discussion surrounding his career.
Four years later, Babar finds himself dealing with some of the same questions.
| Measure | Virat Kohli in July 2022 | Babar Azam in October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Public concern | Extended international century drought | Repeated low scores and failure to convert starts |
| Immediate pressure | Selection, technique and major tournament form | Batting role, ODI reliability and 2027 World Cup preparation |
| Recent statistical evidence | 77 international innings without a century | 118 runs in five tri-series innings |
| Average in highlighted period | Varied across formats | 23.60 in the ODI tri-series |
| Outside support | Babar’s July 14, 2022 message | Rutherford’s October 31, 2026 message |
| Central challenge | Rediscover scoring and confidence | Convert starts and restore consistency |
The similarities are compelling, but the circumstances are not identical.
Kohli’s 2022 difficulties occurred after a long period without an international hundred.
Babar’s current concerns include repeated failures in an ODI tournament, changing selection expectations and questions surrounding his performances across formats.
A fair comparison should recognize the shared psychological pressure without pretending the statistical situations are exactly the same.
How Virat Kohli Ended His Long Century Drought
Kohli’s comeback is the most encouraging historical reference for those hoping Babar can rediscover his best form.
In September 2022, Kohli scored an unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan during the Asia Cup.
It was his first international century since November 2019 and his first T20I hundred.
The innings ended the most publicized scoring drought of his career.
But the comeback did not end with a single innings.
In October 2022, Kohli produced one of the greatest T20 World Cup performances, scoring an unbeaten 82 from 53 balls against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
India were under enormous pressure during the chase.
Kohli held the innings together before launching an extraordinary late assault that transformed the contest.
His straight six against Haris Rauf became one of the tournament’s defining images.
It was powerful evidence that a batter who had faced prolonged criticism could still perform under exceptional pressure.
The Lesson From Kohli’s Comeback
Kohli did not recover because critics disappeared or because his earlier record guaranteed future success.
He needed to rediscover the timing, shot selection, confidence and concentration required to build major international innings.
The resurgence also illustrates why cricket careers should not be assessed solely through one difficult period.
Great players can experience dramatic fluctuations in form.
The important question is whether they can adapt their methods and return to effective performances.
That is the challenge now confronting Babar.
Babar Azam’s Career: Why the Expectations Remain So High
It is impossible to understand the criticism surrounding Babar without considering what he has achieved.
Since making his international debut in 2015, he has established himself among Pakistan’s most productive modern batters.
His rise was based on classical batting technique, excellent balance, timing through the off side and an ability to accumulate runs consistently in ODI cricket.
Babar became a central figure in Pakistan’s batting across formats and later captained the national team.
His position at the top of the ICC ODI rankings reflected a sustained period of outstanding performances.
He became the fastest men’s ODI batter to reach several major run milestones by innings played, including 5,000 ODI runs.
His 158 against England at Edgbaston in July 2021 remains one of the memorable batting performances of his ODI career.
He also played an important role in Pakistan’s rise as a T20I side during the earlier years of his captaincy.
However, his achievements in shorter formats should not obscure the fact that his Test career has contained periods of both excellence and inconsistency.
Calling him Pakistan’s greatest batter is a legitimate opinion, but not a universally settled historical conclusion.
Players such as Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf have strong claims based on career totals, match-winning performances, longevity and achievements in different eras.
Babar deserves comparison with those players because of his record, not immunity from criticism.
Career Records and Why They Matter
| Babar Azam Achievement | Historical Significance |
|---|---|
| International debut in 2015 | Beginning of an elite international career |
| Three consecutive ODI centuries against West Indies in 2016 | Early evidence of extraordinary ODI consistency |
| ICC ODI No. 1 ranking | Established himself among the world’s leading batters |
| ICC T20I No. 1 ranking | Demonstrated significant early success in the shortest international format |
| Fastest to 5,000 men’s ODI runs by innings | Reached the landmark in 97 innings |
| 158 against England in 2021 | Among his defining ODI centuries |
| Pakistan captaincy | Carried significant leadership responsibility across formats |
| 2026 ODI tri-series | 118 runs in five innings without a half-century |
The historical record explains why expectations have not diminished.
Fans remember the player who dominated rankings and built centuries with apparent ease.
They now want evidence that he can produce those innings again.
The 2026 ODI Tri-Series: Five Innings, 118 Runs and No Half-Century
Statistics provide the clearest explanation for Babar’s latest criticism.
Across five innings against Sri Lanka and England, he scored 118 runs.
His highest score was 45.
He was dismissed in all five innings, producing an average of 23.60.
Three of his five dismissals came after making a start, but none developed into a half-century.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 18 | Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi | 45 | 57 | 78.95 |
| October 20 | England | Rawalpindi | 34 | 52 | 65.38 |
| October 25 | England | Lahore | 10 | 12 | 83.33 |
| October 27 | Sri Lanka | Lahore | 29 | 33 | 87.88 |
| October 31 | Sri Lanka, final | Lahore | 0 | 5 | 0.00 |
| Total | Five innings | 118 | 159 | 74.21 |
TSE statistical insight: Babar faced 159 deliveries for his 118 runs, producing a tournament strike rate of 74.21. He failed to reach 50 despite surviving at least 30 deliveries in three separate innings.
That distinction matters.
The issue was not simply that Babar could no longer make contact with the ball or survive the opening overs.
He repeatedly reached positions from which an experienced ODI batter could reasonably be expected to build a larger innings.
Yet the conversion never arrived.
October 18: Forty-Five Against Sri Lanka
Babar made 45 from 57 deliveries in Pakistan’s opening match against Sri Lanka.
He struck six boundaries but was dismissed before reaching his half-century.
Salman Ali Agha subsequently scored 107, helping Pakistan reach 305 and complete a 37-run victory.
The match is covered in TSE’s report on Agha’s century and Pakistan’s opening win.
Babar’s innings was not a complete failure.
But it was another missed opportunity to translate an established position into a decisive contribution.
October 20: Thirty-Four Against England
Babar scored 34 from 52 deliveries against England.
Will Jacks bowled him as Pakistan lost early wickets and slipped to 81/4.
Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas subsequently rescued the innings before Minhas took six wickets during England’s chase.
Pakistan won by 87 runs.
The match is documented in TSE’s analysis of Arafat Minhas’ extraordinary all-round performance.
The concern for Babar was not only the dismissal.
His innings consumed 52 deliveries at a strike rate of 65.38 without establishing the substantial score that would justify a prolonged accumulation phase.
October 25: Ten Runs Against England
Against England in Lahore, Babar managed only ten.
Pakistan eventually collapsed to 154/9 before Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf produced an extraordinary last-wicket partnership.
Shadab’s unbeaten 113 helped Pakistan win by one wicket.
The dramatic recovery is described in TSE’s report on Shadab’s record-breaking rescue against England.
Once again, the team’s success did not resolve the question of its most experienced specialist batter’s contribution.
October 27: Twenty-Nine Against Sri Lanka
Babar made 29 from 33 deliveries as Sri Lanka dismissed Pakistan for 110.
Dilshan Madushanka took five wickets for 34 runs, and Sri Lanka won by eight wickets.
Babar top-scored for Pakistan, but that figure must be understood in context.
Scoring 29 in a total of 110 is not the same as producing a substantial innings that stabilizes the batting order.
The collapse is examined in TSE’s investigation of Pakistan’s batting failure and its World Cup implications.
October 31: The Five-Ball Duck
The final provided another opportunity.
Babar was dismissed without scoring.
Pakistan’s eventual victory made the afternoon memorable for the team, but it left the batter with 118 runs from five innings.
That is the statistical context behind Rutherford’s supportive message.
Why Babar Azam Is Struggling: Technique, Tempo and the Burden of Expectations
It would be irresponsible to diagnose every aspect of Babar’s current batting through scorecards alone.
A complete technical assessment requires detailed video review, ball-tracking information and analysis of the conditions and deliveries involved in individual dismissals.
Nevertheless, his recent innings raise several legitimate questions about the relationship between technique, scoring tempo and concentration.
1. Is Babar Becoming Too Cautious During the Early Overs?
Babar’s classical batting approach has traditionally emphasized balance, controlled stroke play and the ability to build an innings.
That method can be extremely effective in ODIs.
But a batter who spends a substantial number of deliveries without accelerating can create pressure on himself and teammates.
His 34 from 52 against England illustrates the concern.
He occupied the crease long enough to influence the innings but did not generate the scoring rate or duration required for a commanding contribution.
The challenge is not to abandon patience.
It is to distinguish productive accumulation from a period of low-risk batting that creates increasing scoring pressure.
2. What Happens After Babar Reaches 25 or 30?
A pattern emerges from three of his tri-series innings.
He scored 45, 34 and 29 without reaching a half-century.
Those innings show that Babar still possesses the capacity to survive the opening phase and score boundaries.
They also show that he has not consistently converted that foundation into a substantial contribution.
For an ODI batter with his history, conversion is a critical measure.
There is a major difference between a player who scores 30 and another who turns that start into 100.
Both may look fluent during their opening overs.
Only one transforms the team’s innings.
3. Has the Pressure to Score Faster Affected His Shot Selection?
Modern ODI cricket increasingly rewards batters who can maintain strong scoring rates without surrendering their wickets.
Babar’s traditional method relies on timing rather than constant power hitting.
There is nothing inherently wrong with that approach.
However, his role must fit the team’s broader batting strategy.
If the openers depart early, he may need to consolidate.
If a partnership is established, he may need to rotate the strike more aggressively and attack favorable deliveries.
The danger arises when those responsibilities become confused.
A batter who feels compelled to accelerate abruptly after a slow opening may attempt a stroke that does not suit the match situation.
That is a tactical possibility worth investigating, not a proven explanation for every dismissal.
4. Is Confidence Becoming a Technical Problem?
Confidence and technique influence each other.
When a batter is scoring consistently, familiar movements often feel automatic.
During a prolonged difficult period, players may begin consciously questioning decisions that previously required little thought.
Should they leave a delivery outside off stump?
Should they move forward or remain on the back foot?
Should they attack the spinner or wait for a less risky opportunity?
Those decisions can become more complicated when every dismissal generates enormous public scrutiny.
That does not mean Babar’s difficulties are exclusively psychological.
It means technical and psychological pressures should be considered together rather than used as competing explanations.
What Virat Kohli’s Comeback Can Teach Babar Azam
Kohli’s recovery provides encouragement, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed blueprint.
Different players possess different strengths, weaknesses and career circumstances.
Still, three lessons stand out.
Rebuild Through Repeatable Scoring Methods
Kohli’s best performances have generally combined controlled accumulation with the ability to accelerate once established.
Babar’s recovery is likely to require the same fundamental discipline.
He must identify reliable scoring opportunities and use them consistently.
That includes turning singles into twos, rotating the strike against spin and avoiding long periods in which the scoreboard becomes dependent on boundaries.
Separate Individual Performance From Public Noise
Both players have experienced periods when social media discussion became dominated by criticism.
Some of that criticism concerned legitimate cricketing problems.
Some moved into personal ridicule.
Professional athletes must accept scrutiny of their performances.
They should not be expected to treat abuse as a necessary part of that scrutiny.
Babar will ultimately be judged by runs, but constructive criticism can help explain what needs to improve without treating the player as an object of humiliation.
Find One Substantial Innings, Then Build on It
Kohli’s 122 against Afghanistan was a major turning point because it ended the century drought.
But the more meaningful achievement was his subsequent return to producing important performances in different conditions.
Babar’s first substantial innings would therefore be the beginning of a recovery, not proof that every concern had been solved.
Consistency would need to follow.
Real Fans, Critics and Social Media: Where Does Accountability End and Ridicule Begin?
Babar Azam is one of Pakistan’s most recognizable sports figures.
That status brings enormous public attention.
His supporters remember the centuries, rankings and match-winning partnerships.
His critics point to recent failures and argue that past achievements cannot guarantee selection indefinitely.
Both perspectives contain legitimate questions.
Fans are entitled to demand accountability from established players.
A batter’s reputation should not prevent selectors from assessing present performance.
At the same time, a difficult period should not automatically erase an accomplished career.
The problem arises when debate becomes a contest in humiliation.
Mockery can generate attention, but it provides little information about technique, batting roles or the changes required for improvement.
What Does Genuine Support Look Like?
Supporting Babar does not require pretending he scored well in the tri-series.
He did not.
Nor does it require dismissing every technical concern as hatred.
The strongest support acknowledges the problem while allowing room for improvement.
It recognizes a distinction between the player and his current performances.
That was the spirit of Babar’s message to Kohli in 2022.
And it is the spirit of Rutherford’s message now.
Why the India-Pakistan Dimension Makes the Story More Powerful
Babar’s original gesture crossed one of the strongest rivalries in cricket.
It came during a period when discussions about India and Pakistan frequently extended beyond sport.
The message demonstrated that rivalry and respect can coexist.
Players can compete fiercely on the field while acknowledging the shared challenges of professional cricket.
Rutherford’s gesture extends that principle beyond South Asia.
A West Indian cricketer recognized the difficulties facing a Pakistani batter and chose encouragement rather than ridicule.
The exchange illustrates a form of professional solidarity that deserves attention.
Pakistan’s 2027 World Cup Plans Cannot Depend on Sentiment Alone
Babar’s immediate challenge exists within a much larger competitive context.
Pakistan are preparing for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The tri-series demonstrated that Pakistan possess match-winners outside their established top order.
Salman Ali Agha scored a century against Sri Lanka.
Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas produced important performances against England.
Shadab Khan completed an extraordinary rescue from 154/9.
Fakhar Zaman and Arafat then played decisive innings during the final.
These developments are encouraging because they reduce the temptation to depend exclusively on one batter.
But a settled, productive top order remains important.
Pakistan cannot reasonably expect dramatic lower-order rescues to become a sustainable strategy.
The larger selection debate was examined in TSE’s tri-series final preview, which identified Babar’s conversion problems as a central concern.
Should Babar Remain in Pakistan’s ODI Team?
There is a strong argument for giving an established batter an opportunity to rediscover his form, particularly when his historical record is substantial.
There is also a legitimate argument for evaluating his current contribution against the available alternatives.
The sensible approach is to establish clear performance criteria.
Those criteria could include the ability to survive the new ball, rotate strike efficiently, convert starts and provide meaningful contributions under pressure.
Selection should not be governed exclusively by reputation or social media hostility.
It should be based on the role Pakistan need and the evidence that a particular player can perform it.
Pakistan’s T20 Selection Decisions Show How Quickly Circumstances Can Change
Babar was among the established names absent from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the October series against Sri Lanka.
The selectors chose Sahibzada Farhan as captain and made substantial changes after the T20 World Cup.
Those decisions, detailed in TSE’s report on Pakistan’s October T20I selection reset, demonstrate that roles and expectations are already evolving.
However, omission from one format should not automatically determine a player’s selection in another.
ODI and T20I batting require overlapping but different methods.
Babar’s future should be assessed against the demands of each format.
Five Questions Babar Must Answer Before the 2027 World Cup
| Question | Evidence From 2026 | What Improvement Would Look Like |
|---|---|---|
| Can he convert starts? | 45, 34 and 29 in the tri-series | More substantial innings after becoming established |
| Can he maintain ODI tempo? | 118 runs from 159 balls | Improved rotation and selective acceleration |
| Can he stabilize early collapses? | Duck in final with Pakistan falling to 14/2 | Long partnerships when early wickets fall |
| Can he handle quality spin? | Different challenges across five matches | Clearer scoring methods and control of dot-ball pressure |
| Can he perform under scrutiny? | No half-century in five tri-series innings | Repeated significant contributions over several series |
These questions are not intended to assume failure.
They identify the areas through which Babar can rebuild his case.
Why the Tri-Series Victory Should Not Conceal Pakistan’s Batting Problems
Pakistan’s victory over Sri Lanka was an outstanding achievement.
Chasing 326 in a tournament final required courage, concentration and several important individual performances.
But tournament success should not prevent examination of the weaknesses that almost undermined the campaign.
Against Sri Lanka on October 27, Pakistan were dismissed for 110.
In the final, the team lost its first two wickets for 14.
Against England on October 25, the batting order collapsed to 154/9 before Shadab and Haris produced their remarkable partnership.
The pattern is clear.
Pakistan possess significant batting depth and the ability to recover from difficult situations.
They have not consistently established dependable foundations at the top.
That distinction will matter against stronger opponents in a World Cup.
The issue connects with the broader discussion surrounding the tri-series squads, player availability and preparation for the 2027 tournament.
The Historical Perspective: Even Great Careers Contain Difficult Chapters
Cricket history contains numerous examples of outstanding players enduring difficult phases.
Batters experience changes in form because of technical problems, injuries, confidence, opposition tactics or normal fluctuations in performance.
The existence of a slump does not guarantee that a player will recover.
It also does not establish that recovery is impossible.
Kohli’s resurgence after 2022 is one compelling example of a player returning to major performances following an intensely scrutinized period.
Babar’s situation remains unresolved.
His future record will determine how this chapter is ultimately remembered.
In that respect, a historical comparison with celebrated ODI performances is instructive.
The difference between good players and the greatest performers often emerges through decisive innings under pressure, a theme explored throughout The Sports Encounter’s A Celebration of 5000 ODIs series.
What Happens Next for Babar Azam?
The most useful question is not whether Babar can silence his critics with one innings.
It is whether he can reconstruct a repeatable method of scoring substantial runs.
That process requires more than motivational messages.
It requires technical preparation, honest assessment, tactical clarity and opportunities to demonstrate improvement.
Technical Preparation
Babar and Pakistan’s coaching staff should analyze the dismissal patterns from recent series.
That includes examining which deliveries have created problems, whether his starting positions are consistent and whether his scoring options change under pressure.
Any technical adjustment should be based on repeatable video evidence rather than an assumption drawn from a single dismissal.
Clear Batting Responsibilities
The selectors and coaching staff must determine precisely what role they expect Babar to play.
Is he responsible primarily for stabilizing the innings?
Should he accelerate earlier when Pakistan bat first?
How should he respond when the opening partnership fails?
Clear expectations can help reduce uncertainty over his approach.
Consistent Performance Benchmarks
Progress should be assessed across multiple innings rather than through one successful score.
Half-centuries and centuries matter, but so do scoring tempo, partnership value and the match situation.
Pakistan need Babar to contribute in ways that improve their chances of winning rather than merely produce an attractive individual score.
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When Did Babar Azam Post “This Too Shall Pass” for Virat Kohli?
Babar posted the message on July 14, 2022, when Kohli was struggling through a prolonged international century drought.
Did Virat Kohli Reply to Babar Azam?
Yes. Kohli thanked Babar on July 16, 2022, and wished him continued success.
Who Posted “This Too Shall Pass” for Babar Azam in 2026?
West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford posted the supportive message on October 31, 2026.
How Many Runs Did Babar Azam Score in the 2026 ODI Tri-Series?
Babar scored 118 runs in five innings at an average of 23.60.
What Were Babar’s Five Scores?
His scores were 45, 34, 10, 29 and 0.
Did Babar Score a Half-Century During the Tri-Series?
No. His highest score was 45 against Sri Lanka on October 18.
Who Dismissed Babar in the Tri-Series Final?
Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Babar for a five-ball duck, with Pavan Rathnayake taking the catch.
Did Pakistan Win the Tri-Series?
Yes. Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by three wickets in the October 31 final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
How Did Virat Kohli End His International Century Drought?
Kohli scored an unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan in the September 2022 Asia Cup.
Can Babar Azam Recover His Batting Form?
His previous achievements demonstrate the ability to score consistently at international level. However, a successful recovery will require technical clarity and sustained performances rather than reliance on reputation.
The Sports Encounter Verdict: The Words Have Come Full Circle, but Babar Must Write the Next Chapter
There is something deeply human about the journey of three words from Lahore to India and back through the Caribbean.
In July 2022, Babar Azam was one of the most celebrated batters in world cricket.
Virat Kohli was struggling.
Babar chose encouragement rather than criticism.
Four years later, Babar is the one facing uncomfortable questions.
His ODI tri-series record makes those questions unavoidable.
Five innings, 118 runs, no half-century and a duck in the final are disappointing returns from a player of his experience and ability.
His supporters should not pretend otherwise.
But those figures do not erase the centuries, rankings and performances that established Babar as one of Pakistan’s most accomplished modern batters.
Nor do they justify treating personal ridicule as serious cricket analysis.
Kohli’s recovery offers encouragement because it demonstrates that an elite player can emerge from a prolonged difficult period.
It does not guarantee that Babar will follow an identical path.
That responsibility remains with Babar himself.
He must find the runs, rebuild the confidence and demonstrate that his technique can still produce major international innings.
Pakistan need him to succeed, not because of nostalgia, but because an effective Babar Azam would strengthen the team’s batting considerably ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Rutherford’s message does not answer the selection debate.
It does not fix Babar’s technique.
It does not turn 118 runs into 500.
What it does is acknowledge that the man behind the disappointing scores deserves the same professional respect he once extended to Kohli.
That is why this story resonates.
The batsmen have changed places.
The message has not.
This too shall pass.
Whether Babar emerges with another memorable chapter in his career is now up to him.
Continue Following Pakistan Cricket
Read The Sports Encounter’s cricket coverage for verified match reports, player analysis, records and tournament developments.
For the official tournament result and the performances that delivered Pakistan’s title, consult the ICC’s report on Pakistan’s three-wicket final victory.
Babar Azam
- This Too Shall Pass: When Babar Azam’s Words for Virat Kohli Came Back to Save Him
- Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series Final: Babar Azam Faces His Biggest Test as Sri Lanka’s Fearless Batting Meets Pakistan’s Bowling Firepower
- Sri Lanka Humiliate Pakistan for 110, Knock England Out as Babar Azam’s Familiar Failure Exposes World Cup Alarm
- Mohammad Rizwan’s Court Challenge Puts PCB’s Player-Management Record Back on Trial
- England Complete Pakistan Whitewash as Root 2.0 Finds Answers and PCB Faces Hard Questions
