Babar Azam and Azhar Ali Controversy
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Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has made a serious claim about Babar Azam’s role in Azhar Ali’s retirement. According to Basit, Azhar wanted to complete 100 Test matches before retiring. However, the then PCB chairman Ehsan Mani opposed this plan.
Basit alleges that Babar, who was the captain at the time, did not support Azhar’s desire to achieve this milestone. This led to Azhar retiring after playing 97 Tests in December 2018.
- Basit Ali claims Babar Azam did not support Azhar Ali’s wish to play 100 Test matches.
- PCB chairman Ehsan Mani allegedly denied Azhar the opportunity.
- Azhar retired in 2018 after playing 97 Test matches.
Basit Ali’s Warning: Babar Should Not Open in Champions Trophy 2025
Basit Ali strongly opposes the idea of Babar Azam opening the batting for Pakistan in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He believes this decision could hurt Pakistan’s performance in the tournament.
He pointed out that New Zealand’s fast bowlers, capable of bowling at 145 kmph, would pose a major challenge for Babar. He warned that if Babar fails early, it could put Pakistan in a difficult position.
Potential Risks of Babar Opening:
- Facing fast bowlers early could affect his form.
- If he gets out early, Pakistan could struggle in the middle order.
- The team’s overall balance might suffer due to a lack of specialist openers.
“Don’t Make Babar Azam a Scapegoat”
Basit Ali urged the Pakistan team management not to treat Babar Azam as a “sacrificial goat.” He emphasized the importance of using specialist openers instead of forcing Babar into an unfamiliar role.
He stressed that Pakistan’s first match is against New Zealand on February 19. If Babar opens and gets dismissed early, it could affect the team’s confidence and stadium atmosphere.
Why Pakistan Needs Specialist Openers
A strong start is crucial in major tournaments like the Champions Trophy. Without a dedicated opening pair, Pakistan could struggle in the powerplay.
Ideal Openers for Pakistan:
- Fakhar Zaman – Aggressive left-handed batsman with big-match experience.
- Abdullah Shafique – Consistent performer in Test and ODI formats.
- Imam-ul-Haq – A steady opener who can anchor the innings.
Pakistan Squad Announcement Delayed
Pakistan is the host and defending champion of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, they are the only team yet to announce their squad for the tournament.
The tournament begins with Pakistan vs. New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The final squad announcement will determine Pakistan’s batting strategy and team composition.
Possible Squad Challenges:
- Selecting the right opening pair.
- Finding a balanced middle order.
- Managing Babar Azam’s role in the lineup.
Basit Ali has raised serious concerns about Babar Azam opening the innings. His argument is based on New Zealand’s fast-bowling attack and the potential risks of an early collapse.
Pakistan’s team management must prioritize specialist openers and allow Babar to play in his natural position. With the Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, Pakistan must finalize a well-balanced squad to defend their title successfully.
Check out the Champions Trophy Schedule, Champions Trophy Live Score, Champions Trophy Squads , Champions Trophy Stats Champions Trophy Tour, Champions Trophy Venues & Champions Trophy Latest News here!
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matches
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 1st Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs India - 2nd Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs South Africa - 3rd Match, Group B | Australia vs England - 4th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs India - 5th Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 6th Match, Group A | Australia vs South Africa - 7th Match, Group B | Afghanistan vs England - 8th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 9th Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs Australia - 10th Match, Group B | England vs South Africa - 11th Match, Group B | New Zealand vs India - 12th Match, Group A | TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, Final |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams
PAKISTAN | NEW ZEALAND | BANGLADESH | INDIA | AFGHANISTAN | SOUTH AFRICA | AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND
