Danish Kaneria criticizes Babar Azam for his lackluster performance in the Champions Trophy 2025, suggesting his runs are only against weaker teams. Babar lost his top ODI ranking and the team faced early elimination from the tournament, raising concerns about batting depth and intent. The PCB is disappointed with the performances, especially against rivals like India.
In the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025, Babar Azam’s performance has drawn criticism for appearing subpar. His innings of 64 runs from 90 balls against New Zealand was described as overly defensive, particularly in the context of a daunting 321-run target. Additionally, an earlier attempt against India also ended prematurely, raising concerns about his form and scoring ability.
Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has expressed doubts regarding Babar Azam’s batting intent, stating that his runs predominantly come against weaker teams such as Zimbabwe. Kaneria emphasized that this trend casts doubt on Babar’s capacity to perform against stronger, more competitive teams, indicating a lack of intent from the star player.
Babar Azam recently lost his top ODI ranking to India’s Shubman Gill, having held the position for two years prior. Over this time, he accumulated 1,442 runs at an average of 45 from 35 innings, though his strike rate ranked as one of the lowest among players with over 1,000 runs in the same timeframe.
Kaneria also pointed out the overall inadequacies in the Pakistan batting lineup, noting that while players like Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah occasionally contribute, others, including wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, are struggling for form. Pakistan faced early elimination from the Champions Trophy after losing their first two matches against New Zealand and India.
As the Pakistan cricket team prepares for its final match against Bangladesh on February 27, the Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly grappling with disappointment regarding the team’s performance, particularly in high-stakes matches against rivals like India. The PCB has opted to refrain from public comments on the situation until the conclusion of the tournament on March 9. Kaneria previously remarked that the PCB focused more on infrastructural improvements rather than selecting an effective team for the tournament.
Danish Kaneria voiced concerns about Babar Azam’s recent performances, particularly criticizing his inability to score effectively against stronger teams while only amassing runs against lesser opponents. The Pakistan cricket team’s struggles in the Champions Trophy raise questions about batting depth and intent, especially as they face impending elimination. The PCB’s frustrations with the team’s performance underscore the challenges faced in restoring cricketing success in the national arena.
Original Source: www.news18.com
