Fact check: Did Mohammad Abbas really score more runs than Babar Azam in ENG vs PAK Tests?

Pakistan captain and one of the finest batters of his generation, Babar Azam, has struggled with the bat in the ongoing England vs Pakistan Test series. Surprisingly, Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas has scored more than twice as many runs as Babar in the series.

Several posts on X and other social media platforms claim that Babar Azam has scored fewer runs than Mohammad Abbas. The claim has attracted attention because Abbas is a specialist fast bowler who usually bats at the lower end of Pakistan's batting order.

Throughout this article, we will check the claim and share the complete details. We will compare the runs scored by Mohammad Abbas and Babar Azam in the ENG vs PAK Test series and find out whether the viral claim is actually true.

Mohammad Abbas' run tally beats Babar Azam's after Edgbaston dismissal

Yes, the viral claim is true. Mohammad Abbas has scored more runs than Babar Azam in Pakistan's ongoing Test series against England in 2026. The surprising stat highlights the struggles of Pakistan's batting lineup in the series.

Babar Azam was dismissed for just 7 runs in the first innings of the third Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday. His latest low score took his total to 21 runs in the series, while Abbas scored 21 runs in the first innings of the third Test.

See also -ICC penalises Pakistan bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad ahead of WI vs PAK 2nd Test

With his latest contribution, Abbas has scored 31 runs across the three Tests. The Pakistan pacer has therefore scored 10 more runs than Babar, despite being a lower-order batter who normally comes in at the end of the innings.

The full breakdown: Abbas' 31 runs vs Babar's 21 across all three Tests

Babar Azam's batting struggles have continued throughout the Test series. In the second Test at Lord's, he scored 6 and 8 in Pakistan's two innings. His latest dismissal for 7 runs at Edgbaston means he has failed to score a double-digit total in all three of his innings in the series. Babar was bowled by Josh Tongue after facing 18 balls, taking his overall tally to just 21 runs.

Mohammad Abbas, meanwhile, has produced a better batting return despite coming much lower in Pakistan's batting order. He scored 2 and 6 in the first Test, followed by 0 and 2 at Lord's. Abbas then made 21 runs in Pakistan's first innings at Edgbaston. As a result, his total has reached 31 runs across the three Tests, which is 10 more than Babar's 21 runs.

See also -'Ghante ka king': Fans slam Babar Azam after 7-run dismissal in ENG vs PAK 3rd Test despite mentioning himself as POTS

Abbas has also made a major contribution with the ball, making the comparison even more surprising. At Lord's, the Pakistan pacer delivered an excellent spell and finished the Test with nine wickets. Despite his efforts, Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat as England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series. His performances with both bat and ball have made him one of Pakistan's notable performers in the series.

 Here are the Mohammad Abbas vs Babar Azam stats at a glance:

(Notably, the stats have been updated up to the first innings of the third Test between England and Pakistan)

Fans react to the viral stat — What it means for Babar's captaincy scrutiny going forward

The viral statistic comparing Mohammad Abbas' 31 runs with Babar Azam's 21 has caught the attention of cricket fans on social media. Many fans have reacted to the unusual comparison, especially because Abbas is a specialist fast bowler who bats much lower in the order than Babar. Here is how the fans reacted on X:

Babar Azam returned as Pakistan's Test captain for the England series and has been under pressure after the team's heavy defeats in the opening two Tests. With another single-digit score at Edgbaston, the Pakistan captain now faces more questions about his batting form and leadership.

The ongoing Test series has increased the scrutiny on Babar's captaincy. Pakistan have also made several changes to their squad for the third Test, including three debutants after seven players were released. Babar will now be expected to lead from the front and help Pakistan improve their batting performances.