Babar Azam absent as Mohsin Naqvi delivers a secret message to Pakistan Cricket Team before India clash

Pakistan's star cricketer Babar Azam was missing from the team's training session ahead of the highly anticipated match against India as the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi delivered a motivational speech.

It is believed that Naqvi urged his side to win the match "at any cost". Babar Azam's absence from the training session has raised concerns over his unavailability for the match against India.

Babar is the only player from the Pakistan squad to miss this training session which is also believed to be their last before the big game. Hence, Naqvi decided to keep the players motivated with some pep talks in Dubai.

Also read: Babar Azam ruled out of IND vs PAK!! Matchday report reveals no confirmation on participation

Babar Azam to play against India? Aaqib Javed responds

When Pakistan's head coach Aaqib Javed was asked about Babar Azam in the press conference, he clearly stated that the star batter had opted to rest. Hence, there is no official update regarding Babar's availability for the match.

Babar Azam scored a half-century in the first match against New Zealand but got criticized for his slow knock in which he hardly showed any intent. The right-hander struggled for rhythm throughout his innings and was finally dismissed for 64 off 90 balls.

Pakistan were chasing a stiff target of 321 runs and Babar Azam's knock didn't help their cause at all. As a result, he was blasted for trying to play for individual performances instead of playing for the nation.

Mohsin Naqvi asks Pakistan to beat India "at any cost"

Mohsin Naqvi met the Pakistan team at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where the match between India and Pakistan will take place. According to PTI, Naqvi asked Pakistan to beat India "at any cost" and silence the critics, including himself, with a win.

The practice session was cut short as Naqvi had long chats with the captain Mohammad Rizwan, interim head coach Aaqib Javed, and fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. The reports also claim that the PCB were not pleased with the team's selection and took some time to interact with the players and the coaching staff.

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

"We are with our team" - Mohsin Naqvi

Mohsin Naqvi also spoke to the reporters after meeting the players and responded to a few questions. He feels that Pakistan are prepared for the contest and is raring to go and he backed his team to do well despite the result.

"It would be a great game and our team is fully prepared and in my opinion, they are in form. We are with our team, whether they win or lose," the PCB chief told the reporters.

"You should ask this to Indians if the same would have happened to them, then how they would have felt?" he said when asked about Pakistan having to play India in Dubai despite being the hosts of Champions Trophy 2025.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi media talk at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.#PAKvIND | #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/DOQs97iYkW

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 22, 2025

India and Pakistan will face each other in a highly anticipated clash in Dubai on February 23. Pakistan are coming into this match on the back of a defeat to New Zealand in the opening game of the Champions Trophy.

On the other hand, India started its campaign with a win over Bangladesh. Pakistan needs to win the game at any cost to keep their fate in their own hands while India will be looking to move forward towards a place in the semi-final.