The tourists won the toss and elected to bat in the opening match at Old Trafford of the three-Test series between England and Pakistan but stumbled to 2-43 before Babar’s intervention.
At stumps, Babar was 69no from 100 balls alongside opener Shan Masood on a patient 46no from 152 deliveries.
Babar’s knock included 11 boundaries as he arrested back the early momentum that England had gained with wickets from Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes.
England coach Chris Silverwood said: “We bowled too many four balls and gave the momentum back to Pakistan.
“We weren’t on the money. The standards we’ve set ourselves, we just weren’t there, if were brutally honest.
“The challenge, if it happens again, is how can we wrestle momentum back more quickly? Id like to see a repeat of how we bowled against West Indies and make life hard for the batsmen.
“We know were up against some very good batsmen, and if were not at the top of our game, they will take it away from us. Its a timely reminder.”
An early tea was called due to the rain, with play resuming a few hours later before fading light led to stumps being called.
Veteran quicks Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson got the nod in England’s final XI but went wicketless on the first day.