ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Team Management labelled Psycho for Babar Azam move

Babar Azam's poor form continued in the tri-series involving New Zealand, South Africa, and the hosts Pakistan as the star batter failed miserably. Babar was pushed to open the batting in the absence of Saim Ayub but was unable to make an impact.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali wasn't happy with Babar Azam's batting position and blasted the management. Basit argued about the decision to open with Babar since the batter was already performing well at No. 3.

Watch: Virat Kohli mania hits Karachi as Pakistan fans openly support India star after Babar Azam's failure

Basit Ali blasts Pakistan team management to open with Babar Azam

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali was not pleased with Babar Azam moving up to open the batting. He claimed that Babar was performing well at No. 3 and the move to open the batting with him destroyed the batter's rhythm.

"Who is the one who told Babar Azam to open? I am surprised who he is. What crazy people they are (Kaise pagal log hai). He was performing well at number three, scoring 50-70 against South Africa, but they stopped that too. Now, just 62 runs in three matches in the tri-series. This is the approach, this is the thinking," Basit noted.

"They say even Sachin (Tendulkar) opened the innings and scored a century in his first match in Sri Lanka. But you removed Babar from No.3, where he was excelling, and now you've destroyed his rhythm," he added.

Babar opened the batting alongside Fakhar Zaman in the tri-series involving New Zealand and South Africa. However, the right-hander had a tough series as he aggregated just 62 runs in three matches at an average of 20.66.

Pakistan needs to "think about New Zealand first" - Basit Ali

While speaking further in the same video, Basit Ali asked Pakistan to focus on the first game of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand rather than thinking too far ahead of beating India.

"We keep talking about India's match, but we had to think about New Zealand first. Will this team play against them? Will the pitch be like this, Will Salman Agha bowl 10 overs, Will you make Khushdil Shah play?" Basit argued.

Pakistan will play the opening match of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand at Karachi. Hence, it will be a repeat of the tri-series final on the same ground in Karachi. After facing New Zealand in the tournament opener, the Men in Green will travel to Dubai to take on arch-rivals India on February 23.

Babar Azam's stellar numbers in ODIs

While Babar failed to make an impact in the tri-series, he is likely to keep his opening spot for the Champions Trophy. Pakistan also have the option to open with Usman Khan which will enable Babar to go back to No. 3.

Babar has a stellar ODI record with 6019 runs in just 126 ODIs at a staggering average of 55.73 and a strike rate of 88.13. In the tri-series final, he also became the joint-fastest player to reach the milestone of 6000 runs in ODI cricket.