Danish Kaneria has criticized Babar Azam’s recent form, arguing he only performs well against weaker teams like Zimbabwe. Babar’s struggles were evident in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, particularly against bigger opponents, prompting Kaneria to question his capabilities. Pakistan has been eliminated from the tournament after losses to New Zealand and India and will try to secure a win against Bangladesh in their final match.
Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria criticized Babar Azam amid his lackluster performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Following his dismissal for 23 runs against India, concerns regarding Babar’s effectiveness against stronger opponents were reignited. His previous score of 64 runs from 90 balls against New Zealand reflected a cautious approach, drawing further scrutiny from Kaneria, who stated that Babar tends to excel only against lesser teams like Zimbabwe.
Kaneria remarked on Babar’s ongoing struggles, highlighting his inability to convert scores against more formidable opponents. He noted, “Babar has not scored runs for so long. But when he scores, it is against Zimbabwe or against smaller teams. If he scores against big teams, there is no intent at all,” indicating the need for a more aggressive approach from the Pakistan captain.
Since 2023, Babar has recorded 1,442 runs over 35 innings at an average of 45.06, placing him among the lowest strike rates for players with over 1,000 runs in the same timeframe. Furthermore, Kaneria questioned the form of captain Mohammad Rizwan, suggesting that the overall batting depth of the team is lacking and predicting an early exit from the tournament.
With losses to both New Zealand and India, Pakistan has been eliminated from the Champions Trophy, a reality symbolized by their poor performances. As they prepare for their final match against Bangladesh, the team seeks to salvage its pride by achieving a victory for the fans.
In summary, Danish Kaneria has publicly criticized Babar Azam for his recent performances, particularly against major contenders, stating that he often blossoms against weaker teams. Kaneria’s concerns extend to the effectiveness of the team under Rizwan’s leadership. Despite the fallen status in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan aims to finish strong against Bangladesh.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
