Cheteshwar Pujara openly accuses Babar Azam of playing 'selfish cricket'

Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign began with a humiliating 60-run defeat against New Zealand, and Babar Azam instantly became the villain for his sluggish knock at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday (February 19).

The star batter’s 90-ball stay at the crease yielded just 64 runs at a strike rate of 71.11, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble as they chased a daunting target of 321 runs to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against the Black Caps in Karachi.

There was no intent: Cheteshwar Pujara slams Babar Azam for his slow knock against New Zealand

With the required run rate climbing beyond six runs per over, Babar Azam’s inability to speed up proved costly and it added pressure on the next batters lined up in the match. The former Pakistan skipper’s struggle against spin was clear, and Cheteshwar Pujara pointed out that Babar hesitated to use his feet and looked uncomfortable against the spin.

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Speaking on the ‘Dressing Room’ show on Sports Central in Pakistan, Cheteshwar Pujara said: “There was no intent. Babar’s footwork against the spinner was not good. He was not using his feet. He was not reaching for the ball. He was waiting for the ball to come to him.”

Cheteshwar Pujara exposes Babar Azam’s struggles against Spin

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara pointed out Babar’s struggles against the spin. The Indian batter criticized the right-handed batter for not using his feet, failing to play innovative shots like the sweep or reverse sweep, and getting bogged down by dot balls against the Black Caps.

Pujara further explained, “He was not committing. He was trying to flick the ball, get a single, but there was a square leg fielder. He didn’t try to play any sweep shot or a paddle sweep. Nowadays, reverse sweep is also an option to disturb the length of a spinner.”

Pujara says Babar was playing for himself in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener

The Indian cricketer felt that there was mental pressure on Babar Azam as he was focused on survival rather than match-winning intent in Karachi. Pujara has also pointed out that a strike rate of 70-80 is simply not enough in modern ODI cricket, suggesting Babar to rotate the strike and hit the odd boundaries.

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Pujara signed off by saying, “You don’t need to play for your own runs. In one-day cricket, you can’t be looking to save your own wicket. Instead, you go to win the match. Babar Azam was trying not to get out. But the dot balls added pressure on the batters, who came next.”

Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha shine against New Zealand in Karachi

Pakistan's only silver lining before their big ICC Champions Trophy clash against India was the fight shown by their lower order. Khushdil Shah played a brilliant knock, scoring 69 off 49 balls, while Salman Ali Agha played a quickfire knock of 42 runs off 28 balls against New Zealand.

This high-pressure match is all set to be held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on February 23. Notably, New Zealand recorded their third victory over Pakistan in less than two weeks, having already defeated the Men in Green twice in the recent Tri-nation ODI series.