New Delhi: Babar Azam once again trolled on the internet after his slow knock in the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand. Some of the Pakistani fans passionately argue for his inclusion in the Fab Four debate but his performances in recent times suggest otherwise.
He has been struggling to score runs freely for over two years and his sluggish knock against the Kiwis only fuels his critics. Babar played an astonishing 52 dot balls while his team was chasing a 321-run target.
Fakhar Zaman got injured on the second ball of the match and was unlikely to bat unless Pakistan lost two early wickets. Babar had even more reason to take charge and bat aggressively. Yet, instead of stepping up, he went into a shell and didn’t attempt to break free. His poor performance allowed New Zealand to tighten their grip and push the required run rate to almost 10 an over.
He completed his half-century in 81 balls and it was his fifth slowest fifty in ODI cricket. By the time he reached his fifty, Pakistan were pretty much on the verge of losing the match. His sluggish knock left many cricket experts and fans baffled.
King Babar Azam #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/dKc2DBDv5J
— Desi Bhayo (@desi_bhayo88) February 19, 2025
Babar still plays ODI cricket from 1980s. Just two boundaries against part-time spinners, milking runs in middle overs. This doesn’t work in modern cricket. #PakvsNz
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 19, 2025
Babar’s journey to 50 coupled with Salman Ali Agha’s batting has to be the best depiction of “ The Tortoise and Rabbit story” . #ChampionsTrophy
The 50 I hope will come soon enough🤞
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 19, 2025
Babar Azam scored 81 balls fifty to get his number-1 ODI rank back when PAK were chasing 321 runs in 50 overs.
-Statpadding King Bobby Badshah is back🔥🥵 pic.twitter.com/iNW5Bmrttz
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) February 19, 2025
Babar azam today 😭😭 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/nvGHYaKAwo
— 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁 (@DilSeMemes) February 19, 2025
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 60 runs
New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 60 runs in the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 19. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first and got off to a great start as Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah removed Conway (10) and Kane Willaimson (1). Will Young scored 107 runs off 113 balls and Latham also amassed 118 runs off 104 balls. Glenn Phillips also played a fiery knock and scored 61 runs off just 39 balls as New Zealand posted 320 runs on the board.
Babar opened the innings with Saud Shakeel as Fakhar was ineligible to bat due to an injury. Both batters played carefully against the early swing before Shakeel was dismissed by William ORourke. Captain Rizwan replaced him and fell cheaply to a blinder of a catch at the backward point by Glenn Phillips. Pakistan showed no intent in the first half of their innings, as Babar scored his fifty in 80 balls, while Fakhar Zaman struggled to find his rhythm as well. Khushdil Shah played a late cameo and scored a fifty, and then the bowlers hit a few sixes to reduce the margin of defeat.
Fans react after Pakistan’s in Champions Trophy opener
Pakistan begged for a home ICC event and now lost the opening game of that tournament…LMAO…😂😂😂#PAKvNZ
— Revenge mode (@Pora_Babu) February 19, 2025
Pakistan is very good Team they just need to improve their batting,bowling, fielding & Captaincy.🥱
— BRUFEN (@Bruffen18) February 19, 2025
Lord babar pic.twitter.com/c7uJpT38kh
— Champions Trophy 2025 Commentary 🧢 (@IPL2025Auction) February 19, 2025
Pakistan will face arch-rivals India in their second match of the Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, February 23.
Babar Azam scored 64 runs off 90 balls while Pakistan were chasing 321 runs against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy opener which left fans and former cricketers baffled. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
