'Injured' Babar Azam to miss India clash? Batter's absence from practice sparks concerns

Pakistan National Cricket Team batter Babar Azam came in the news ahead of the game against India National Cricket Team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As per the reports in Cricket Pakistan, it is learned that the premier batter didn't attend the practice session on the eve of the game.

Two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, are all set to lock horns with each other in the fifth game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The match between the two teams is scheduled to take place on Sunday (23rd February) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Both India and Pakistan are putting hard yards ahead of the game, as it will be an important clash for both sides. While the first half of the day was all about Rohit Sharma-led side's training session, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side came for training in the evening.

But what caught the attention of many was that the Pakistan National Cricket Team arrived at the stadium without Babar. This raised doubts about the batter's fitness ahead of the game against India National Cricket Team with many speculating that he might miss the game. Also, as per Dainik Jagran, Babar is not fully fit.

Watch: Pakistan arrive at Dubai International Cricket Stadium for training session without Babar Azam

Here's the video of Pakistan arriving for the practice session without Babar Azam in Dubau

Pakistan team reached for practice without Babar Azam#BabarAzam #IndvsPak #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/x26XIJHDdk

— Sports Yaari (@YaariSports) February 22, 2025

Babar Azam absent from the Pakistani team’s practice session today

— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) February 22, 2025

बाबर आजम पूरी तरह फिट नहीं हैं...#INDvsPAK #ChampionsTrophy2025

— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) February 22, 2025

Babar Azam's absence from the practice session sparks rumors about his injury

Babar not being present at practice has sparked rumors about his injury. Although there isn't any official confirmation, if the rumors are to be believed, then it will be a massive blow for the Pakistan National Cricket Team, especially with the tournament on the line for them.

Although Babar is going through a rough patch, he is the best batter for the team in the ODI format. The right-hander's absence will leave a massive void in the lineup as the Pakistan National Cricket Team are already without some of their key players in the tournament.

Saim Ayub was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 before the start, while Fakhar Zaman faced injury in the first game, getting ruled out of the entire tournament. In his place, Imam-ul-Haq was included in the side and is likely to play the next game.

Babar Azam has been handed the responsibility of opening the innings by the Pakistan Team management

Babar has been handed the responsibility of opening the innings by the Pakistan Team management. The batter, however, hasn't looked comfortable in his new role, as he failed in the entire tri-series series against New Zealand and South Africa.

Babar then slammed a half-century in the first game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, he was criticized a lot for his poor approach as he slammed a slow fifty and ended up with an innings of just 64 runs.

Also read: Watch: Liam Livingstone goes WILD after taking a screamer to dismiss Matthew Short in CT 2025