Babar Azam has been dismissed in the 90s four times in One Day International (ODI) cricket.
Falling in the 90s is a unique challenge for any batter, representing the moments when they are on the verge of a significant milestone – a century – but fail to cross the finish line. This period, encompassing scores from 90 to 99 runs, often tests a batter's mental fortitude and ability to maintain focus under pressure.
Babar Azam's ODI Nineties Dismissals
Babar Azam's four dismissals in the 90s in ODI cricket place him among a list of prominent international players who have frequently reached high scores. These instances highlight his consistent ability to build substantial innings, even though not all were converted into centuries.
To put this into perspective, here's how Babar Azam compares to some other notable cricketers in terms of dismissals in the 90s in ODI cricket:
| Player | 90s (Out) |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 6 |
| Babar Azam | 4 |
| AB de Villiers | 4 |
Note: This specific data reflects dismissals between 90 and 99 runs in One Day International matches.
The Psychology of the 'Nervous Nineties'
The "nervous nineties" is a well-known phenomenon in cricket, where batters, sensing a century is close, might unconsciously change their approach. This could involve becoming overly cautious, leading to a build-up of dot balls and increased pressure, or conversely, attempting an ambitious shot to quickly reach the milestone, resulting in a dismissal. Each of Babar Azam's four dismissals in this range underscores these fine margins and the intense psychological battle faced by batters at the top level of the game.
His consistent presence in the 90s statistics is a testament to his high standard of batting, regularly taking him close to triple-figure scores and demonstrating his valuable contribution to his team's innings.
