Shoaib Akhtar tears into Babar Azam after Pakistan’s embarrassing defeat against New Zealand

Pakistan’s title defense in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 got off to a nightmare start, and Shoaib Akhtar didn’t hold back in slamming Babar Azam’s sluggish batting against New Zealand in the tournament opener at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Chasing a massive target of 321 runs to win the match, Pakistan needed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to lead from the front, but they failed badly, and the Black Caps handed the hosts an embarrassing defeat of 60 runs at the National Stadium on Wednesday, February 19.

Babar Azam flops with the bat as Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign starts in disaster

Babar didn’t show any intent or urgency and played one of the slowest innings in the ICC tournament ever. The former Pakistan captain played an irritating knock of 64 runs off 90 balls, laced with six boundaries and one maximum against the Black Caps in Karachi.

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His struggle was evident as he failed to find the boundary between overs 15.1 and 32, leaving Pakistan far behind in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand. His frustrating innings was eventually ended in the 34th over, as he top-edged a sweep against Mitchell Santner.

While the top order faltered, the lower order showed the aggression Pakistan desperately needed. However, that was not enough as the damage had already been done, but Khushdil Shah’s explosive 69 off 49 and Salman Ali Agha’s quickfire 42 off 28 stole the show and won hearts.

Shoaib Akhtar rips into Babar Azam, questions his game sense

After New Zealand crushed Pakistan in Karachi, Shoaib Akhtar fired shots at Babar Azam, pointing out that the batter has already reached his peak, but his game lacks the necessary evolution to dominate in the ODI and Test cricket. He also said Babar is not even showing signs of improving his flaws.

The legendary Pakistani pacer has further pointed out that skill and fitness can often cover weaknesses in the fast-paced T20 format, but in longer formats, intelligence, awareness, and a structured method are the must to succeed and Babar doesn’t have any of these.

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Shoaib Akhtar said on the ‘Game On Hai’ show: “The product that was supposed to be made, Babar has been made. It is visible. Now what do I debate about it? You have seen it, right? Now you don't have the intention to get well. You can't run a team like MolaJet. Even if you are an aware cricketer, then where will you get this package from? They used to teach you this back in the late 80s and 90s when you used to play in clubs.”

Shoaib Akhtar fumes as Pakistan played 143 dot balls against New Zealand

The Rawalpindi Express also expressed his frustration over the Pakistani batters’ inability to rotate the strike, as they played 143 dot balls against the Black Caps in Karachi.

Akhtar added, “They also used to teach you how to play a runner ball. Even we tailenders also knew that you have to play a runner ball. Why can't our batters play run-a-ball? We played 143 dot balls tonight. Terrible! Our batters can't rotate the strike. Why?”

At the end, the legendary pacer launched a scathing attack on Pakistan’s senior batters Babar and Rizwan, questioning their intent and strategy against the Black Caps.

Shoaib signed off by saying, “Where was our intent? Where was the strategy? If Salman Ali Agha can show intent, then why can't others do it? You were depending on Saim Ayub to win this tournament for you? Why can't those players do it who have been playing for 10 years?”

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