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Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam faced heavy criticism after scoring a slow 64 runs off 90 balls during the Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand. Chasing 321, Pakistan lost early wickets, and Babar’s cautious approach failed to match the required run rate. Fans called his innings “selfish,” linking it to his recent loss of the No.1 ODI ranking to India’s Shubman Gill .

Babar took 81 balls to reach his half-century, with no boundaries between the 16th and 33rd overs. This slow pace left Pakistan struggling at 200/7 by the 40th over. Former players like Ravichandran Ashwin compared his innings to “The Tortoise and Rabbit story,” highlighting the lack of urgency .

Despite his poor strike rate (71.11), Babar’s knock briefly stabilized Pakistan’s innings. However, his dismissal at 153/6 ended hopes of a comeback. Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman also fell early, leaving the middle order under pressure .

Experts Weigh In on Pakistan’s Strategy

Cricket legend Ricky Ponting suggested Pakistan is experimenting with Babar’s batting position to revive his form. With opener Saim Ayub injured, Babar was pushed to open, aiming to give him more time against the new ball. Ponting admitted uncertainty about this strategy but backed Babar’s quality .

Pakistan’s SWOT analysis reveals strengths like Fakhar Zaman’s explosive batting and a pace-heavy attack featuring Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. However, weak areas include an untested opening pair (Babar-Fakhar) and a thin spin department. The lower order’s inconsistency adds to concerns .

Coach Aqib Javed defended Babar, saying he’s “due for a big inning.” Meanwhile, critics question Pakistan’s decision to promote Babar as opener, given his recent tri-series struggles (scores of 10, 23, 29) .

Fan Backlash and Social Media Reactions

Fans flooded social media, calling Babar’s innings “stat-padding” to reclaim his ICC ranking. Memes compared his strike rate to Test cricket, with tweets like “ODI ko Test jaisa khela” (played ODI like a Test) trending .

Some fans contrasted Babar’s approach with Fakhar Zaman’s brief aggressive cameo. Others compared him unfavorably to Virat Kohli, stating, “No one is more selfish than Babar Azam” .

Despite the backlash, a few supporters noted Babar’s role in anchoring the innings. However, most agreed his slow scoring cost Pakistan the match, reigniting debates about his place in the team .

Champions Trophy 2025: Hosting Hopes and Challenges

Pakistan is hosting its first ICC event since 1996, with matches in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai. The tournament is a chance to showcase Pakistan’s improved security and revive international cricket in the region .

As defending champions (2017 winners), Pakistan faces high expectations. Key matches include a high-voltage clash against India in Dubai on February 23. The team’s performance could influence future ICC events in Pakistan .

However, off-field challenges like political instability and economic crises loom. A strong showing might attract more tournaments, but early losses could dampen morale .

What’s Next for Babar Azam and Pakistan?

Babar remains confident, stating, “There is no pressure… we’ve worked on past mistakes.” His focus is on leveraging home conditions to regain form. Upcoming matches against India and Bangladesh are critical for Pakistan’s semi-final hopes.

Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi, must step up after a poor tri-series. The team’s batting order needs clarity, especially if Babar continues to open.

With the ICC rankings shifting, Babar has a chance to silence critics. A strong comeback could redefine his legacy and Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign.

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

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