Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam missed a crucial practice session ahead of the high-stakes Champions Trophy clash against India. His absence raised questions about his place in the playing XI, especially with PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi closely observing the training.
- Babar Azam missed a key practice session, fueling speculation.
- PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi urged players to perform under pressure.
- Babar’s recent form has been criticized after a slow knock against New Zealand.
- Pakistan faces a must-win situation against India.
Babar Azam Skips Training, Raising Questions
Babar was notably absent during Saturday’s training session, surprising fans and analysts. Given the importance of the upcoming match, his no-show led to widespread speculation. Interim coach Aaqib Javed later clarified that Babar was resting, but doubts remain about his availability.
PCB Chief’s Urgent Meeting with Players
Mohsin Naqvi’s presence at Dubai International Stadium added pressure to the squad. Reports from PTI suggest Naqvi encouraged players to prove their critics wrong by delivering a strong performance. The training session, originally planned for two hours, was shortened as Naqvi held discussions with captain Mohammad Rizwan, Aaqib Javed, and key bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi meets with Pakistan players in Dubai before the match vs India.#PAKvIND | #ChampionsTrophy | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/q4IP7Slymo
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 22, 2025
Babar Azam’s Performance Under Scrutiny
Babar’s form has been under the scanner after a slow 64-run innings against New Zealand while chasing 321 runs. His conservative approach led to criticism as the required run rate kept rising.
The situation worsened when Saud Shakeel opened in place of the injured Fakhar Zaman, but he failed to build a strong foundation. By the time Salman Agha brought some momentum, the game was already slipping away.
Impact on Pakistan’s Must-Win Match
With Pakistan’s tournament survival at stake, their performance against India will be crucial. If Babar is benched, the team will need strong leadership and aggressive batting to stay in the competition.
Pakistan’s Concerns Before the India Clash
- Babar Azam’s form and availability
- Team selection disputes
- Pressure from PCB leadership
- Inconsistent batting performances
Babar Azam’s Recent Performance
| Match | Runs | Strike Rate | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs New Zealand | 64 | 78.5 | Lost |
| vs Australia | 44 | 85.0 | Lost |
| vs Sri Lanka | 32 | 92.3 | Won |
Pakistan’s strategy for the India match will be closely watched. Whether Babar Azam plays or not, the team must deliver under immense pressure. Fans are eager to see how Pakistan Cricket Board’s decisions will shape the game’s outcome.
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
![[Watch] Virat Kohli & Harshit Rana’s Wild Celebration After Axar Patel Bowls Out Mohammad Rizwan](https://championstrophy2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/72_Mohammad_Rizwan_Departs-768x480.webp "[Watch] Virat Kohli & Harshit Rana's Wild Celebration After Axar Patel Bowls Out Mohammad Rizwan 3")
