The highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicked off on February 19 with an exciting clash between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. The match saw New Zealand dominate both with the bat and ball, securing a convincing 60-run victory.
While New Zealand’s batsmen set up a strong total, their bowlers ensured that Pakistan never gained momentum in the chase. However, the biggest talking point of the game was Babar Azam’s slow innings, which sparked massive criticism from former cricketers and analysts.
New Zealand’s Strong Start in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, New Zealand’s top order showed their intent early in the innings. The likes of Kane Williamson, Finn Allen, and Devon Conway played crucial knocks to take their team to a competitive total.
Key Performers for New Zealand
- Kane Williamson played a responsible innings, anchoring the middle overs.
- Finn Allen and Devon Conway added valuable runs at a brisk rate.
- Daryl Mitchell’s late acceleration gave New Zealand the perfect finishing touch.
With a challenging target set for Pakistan, New Zealand’s bowlers came out with an aggressive strategy.
New Zealand Bowlers Shine Against Pakistan
The Kiwi bowlers executed their plans well, keeping Pakistan under pressure throughout the chase. Trent Boult and Tim Southee struck early blows, while the spinners controlled the middle overs, making run-scoring difficult.
Pakistan’s Struggles: Babar Azam’s Slow Innings Criticized
Chasing a big total in the first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan needed a solid start. However, their batting lineup failed to rise to the occasion, with Babar Azam’s approach drawing heavy criticism.
Babar Azam’s Controversial Knock
The Pakistani captain scored 64 runs off 90 balls, including just six fours and one six. Given the required run rate, many expected Babar to play more aggressively, but his slow approach left Pakistan struggling.
Key Stats of Babar Azam’s Innings
- A half-century in 81 balls – an unusually slow pace for a big chase.
- Limited strike rotation, putting pressure on other batsmen.
- Struggled against spinners, lacking footwork to counter them.
This innings sparked massive debates among former cricketers and fans on social media.
Former Cricketers React to Babar Azam’s Performance
Wasim Akram’s Take
Legendary pacer Wasim Akram did not hold back his disappointment, stating:
“I would not want my main player to score 60 runs in 90 balls. It is better if he gets out after scoring 35 off 30 balls. In a big chase, you have to take risks.”
His comments emphasize that modern cricket demands a more aggressive approach, especially when chasing a high total.
Basit Ali Questions Babar’s Intent
Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali was even more critical, saying:
“Babar completed his fifty in 81 balls. Was he playing for himself or Pakistan? Will anyone ask him whether his milestone was more important than the country?”
Ali also pointed out that Agha Salman played a more positive innings, contrasting Babar’s slow knock.
Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad Join the Criticism
Former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez echoed similar sentiments, stating:
“Babar Azam has scored many runs in international cricket, but today he seemed satisfied just after reaching fifty. That is not the mindset of a champion player.”
Meanwhile, ex-opener Ahmed Shehzad highlighted a broader concern:
“Pakistan Cricket Board has invested heavily in Babar Azam. He was given a free hand as captain for four to five years. But as senior players, Babar and Rizwan scoring 14 runs off 38 balls is unacceptable.”
These statements raise questions about Pakistan’s batting strategy in major tournaments.
Even Indian Experts Critique Babar’s Approach
Interestingly, Indian Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara also weighed in on Babar Azam’s innings, analyzing his technical flaws.
“During his entire innings, Babar didn’t look like he was playing to win the match. He wasn’t using his feet properly against spinners and was waiting for the ball rather than attacking it.”
This highlights a key concern: Babar Azam needs to adapt his approach in high-pressure chases.
Pakistan’s Key Concerns Moving Forward
With this defeat in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan must address several weaknesses before their next match.
Areas That Need Improvement
- Aggressive Mindset: Pakistan’s batting needs to show more intent, especially in run chases.
- Top-Order Performance: The senior players must take responsibility in high-pressure games.
- Strike Rotation: Pakistan struggled to rotate the strike, adding pressure on batsmen.
- Middle-Order Support: More consistency is required from middle-order batters.
Conclusion
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening match exposed Pakistan’s weaknesses, especially in batting. While New Zealand’s dominant performance showed their intent for the tournament, Pakistan’s passive approach cost them dearly.
With Babar Azam’s slow innings becoming the major talking point, the onus is now on Pakistan’s management to strategize effectively for the upcoming matches.
Will Pakistan bounce back stronger, or will their struggles continue? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear—Pakistan needs a drastic change in mindset to stay in the race for the Champions Trophy title.
FAQs
1. Who won the first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 60 runs in the opening match.
2. Why was Babar Azam criticized?
Babar Azam’s slow 64 off 90 balls drew criticism for lacking intent in a big chase.
3. What did Wasim Akram and Basit Ali say about Babar?
- Wasim Akram: Better to score 35 off 30 than 64 off 90 in a chase.
- Basit Ali: Questioned if Babar played for himself or the team.
4. How did New Zealand perform?
New Zealand excelled with strong batting (Williamson, Conway, Allen) and disciplined bowling.
5. What are Pakistan’s key concerns?
Slow batting, poor strike rotation, and lack of intent in high-pressure chases.