Pakistan finally managed a win over the Netherlands in their third Super 12 match on Sunday, but they lost four wickets including Azam run out on four while chasing 91.
They play South Africa on Thursday in Sydney and must win their remaining two matches and hope other results go their way to stand any chance of making the semi-finals.Azam's struggles have reflected a wider malaise among the Pakistani batsmen at the World Cup.
"Even when they score runs, why we lose? Because of the way they score runs," said former captain Waqar Younis, also taking aim at Azam's opening partner Mohammad Rizwan, referring to their scoring rates.
The strike rates of Babar 129.19 and Rizwan (127.11) are below some other T20 openers including South Africa's Quinton de Kock (136.14) and Indian skipper Rohit Sharma (140.13).When India's superstar batsman Virat Kohli was in a slump earlier this year, Azam backed him to climb out of it, tweeting: "This too shall pass. Stay strong."
That tweet came back to haunt Azam when former India spinner Amit Mishra sarcastically aimed it back at the Pakistani batsman after another low score against the Dutch.
Vice-captain Shadab Khan jumped to the defence of his leader after the six-wicket victory over the Dutch in Perth.
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