Pakistan is looking to Babar Azam to stabilize its Test side as they face Bangladesh in the second Test in Sylhet [6].

The match serves as a critical turning point for a Pakistani squad struggling to find consistency against a Bangladesh team that has developed a dominant red-ball strategy.

Bangladesh enters the second Test with significant momentum after securing a 104-run victory [2, 3] in the opening match played in Dhaka. This win contributed to a streak where Pakistan has lost its last three Tests against Bangladesh [1]. The visitors are now under pressure to halt a surge that has seen the home side dominate recent encounters.

Babar Azam's inclusion is seen as a necessary boost for the batting lineup. Azam has faced a prolonged slump in the longest format of the game, having not scored a Test century since 2022 [4]. Despite his struggles in Tests, the player was recently dropped from Pakistan's ODI squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh [5].

Captain Shan Masood said the team's form is a concern as they prepare for the Sylhet fixture. The Pakistani side must overcome both the tactical discipline of Bangladesh and the psychological weight of three straight defeats [1]. Meanwhile, Bangladesh players, including Mushfiqur Rahim, are leveraging their recent success to maintain a grip on the series.

Observers have noted the urgency of the situation for the visitors. Regarding the timing of a potential turnaround, PTI said, "This is the right time" [7].

“Pakistan has lost its last three Tests against Bangladesh”

The reliance on Babar Azam highlights Pakistan's lack of depth in the batting order during a period of transition. While Bangladesh's 104-run victory signals a shift in the regional power balance of Test cricket, Pakistan's ability to recover depends on whether its star player can end a nearly four-year century drought under high-pressure conditions.