Former India crickeeter Murali Kartik has questioned Babar Azam’s approach during Pakistan’s run chase against New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy opener at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday, February 19 as well. The veteran batter scored 64 runs off 90 balls after Pakistan were set a target of 321 as well.
Meanwhile, regular opener Fakhar Zaman injured his leg while fielding in the first innings as well. Opening the innings with Saud Shakeel, Babar Azam struggled for rhythm and later on, found some momentum with a few trademark flashy strokes, but they were not enough to have the desired impact on the required run rate as well.
“Yes, you were up against it, 320-run target. Yes, you were up against a very disciplined and a very spirited New Zealand team. But then, when you are hosting and representing your country out there, I still am trying to get my head around some of the innings played by some of the senior batters. Seriously, it was just unbelievable,” Kartik said on Cribuzz after Pakistan’s 60-run defeat.
ALSO READ: “Aap Lucknow ke naye nawab hain” – Aakash Chopra on Rishabh Pant’s appointment as LSG captain
“I can tell you as a bowler that if you are not going to put any pressure on me, happy days for me. I can roll my ten overs, and just walk away. Even somebody as good as Mitch Santner was put under pressure by the lower order. If you are not going to put any pressure on the opposition and play for yourself, and play for your own runs, I am really sorry, I think that is very very disappointing,” he again added.
However, Babar Azam’s poor knock came to an end in the 34th over when he was dismissed by opposition captain Mitchell Santner. His innings included six fours and a six and came at a strike rate of 71.11 as well.
Meanwhile, former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull has slammed Pakistan for sending out an injured Fakhar Zaman at No. 4 during their run-chase against the Kiwis in the 2025 Champions Trophy opener as well.
ALSO READ: “In the next T20 World Cup in India, he’ll be number one bowler” – Mohammad Kaif on Varun Chakravarthy
He said as quoted by Wisden, “With him [Fakhar] not being able to find boundaries on a regular basis, he took everything away from Babar Azam to be able to push ones, push twos, run hard between the wickets. I think if he wasn’t able to run properly, there was just no point in sending him out. Save him until the end. If you need 10 or 12 an over at the end and you need a hitter, then is the time for him to come in.”
“But to get themselves back into the innings and to maybe run ones, run hard between the wickets, be able to find the gaps and be able to pick up the odd boundary, it just seems to me that it was a wrong decision at the time. Save him until the end. If you need 10 or 12 an over at the end and you need a hitter, then is the time for him to come in.”
