New Delhi: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez hailed Team India superstar Virat Kohli as the real ‘king’ and lashed out at Pakistan batter Babar Azam after India hammered Mohammad Rizwan & Co. by six wickets in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Sunday, February 23. Kohli slammed an unbeaten century to help India comfortably chase down the target of 241 runs with 45 balls to spare to bag their second straight victory in the tournament.
All eyes were on Babar ahead of the much-anticipated clash between the two arch-rivals. However, the Pakistan star failed to deliver as he was dismissed cheaply on 23 off 26 balls. Babar did get off to a good start after Pakistan opted to bat first in the high-profile clash but couldn’t convert his start into a big score as he was dismissed by Hardik Pandya.
Following Pakistan’s crushing six-wicket defeat, Hafeez launched a scathing attack and Babar and said the Pakistan batter doesn’t deserve to be called the ‘king’. Hafeez explained why Kohli deserves the king tag for the way he has performed for the Indian team over the years and has delivered consistently in high-pressure matches against Pakistan.
“Babar Azam is not the true king. It is Virat Kohli. Look at his performances. He has dominated all over the world. Get out of your PR machinery. We need a performer,” Hafeez said on the show ‘Game on Hai’ on PTV Sports.
“Babar Azam is a good product. But you tell me his one player of the match performance against India,” he added.
Babar Azam has not won a single match against India: Mohammad Hafeez
Babar has been facing the heat from all corners following Pakistan’s loss against India in the Champions Trophy as many have targeted the star batter over his poor show in the must-win match for his team. Questioning Babar’s credentials, Hafeez asked why hasn’t the star batter won a single Player of the Match against India in an ICC event despite having been part of the Pakistan team for a long time.
“Why do we always remember Shoaib Akhtar’s performances against India. Why Younis Khan is a big name when we talk about India-Pakistan match. Shoaib Malik has big performances against India. Tell me Babar Azam, the best Pakistani product that has come in the past 10 years. Tell me his one good performance against India,” said Hafeez.
“Babar Azam is not Inzamam-ul-Haq. Inzi bhai used to win matches for Pakistan in difficult conditions. Babar Azam has not won a single match against India to date,” he added.
The defeat against India has pushed Pakistan to the brink of an early exit from the Champions Trophy 2025 as they have lost their first two matches in a row. Pakistan lost their opener against New Zealand by 60 runs before suffering a crushing defeat against India in Dubai on Sunday. Pakistan need Bangladesh to beat New Zealand in the ongoing group-stage clash between the two sides to remain alive in the tournament.
Former Pakistan skipper lauded Virat Kohli as the true ‘king’ following his splendid unbeaten century against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday. Kohli notched up his 51st ODI ton to help India beat Pakistan by six wickets in the game. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
