Babar Azam’s batting approach in Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand has drawn sharp criticism, with former India cricketer and batting coach Sanjay Bangar calling it a major factor in Pakistan’s defeat. Pakistan, chasing a stiff target of 321, fell short by 60 runs, getting bowled out for 260 in Karachi. Bangar believes that Babar’s slow and cautious innings of 64 off 90 balls put undue pressure on the rest of the batting lineup, allowing New Zealand’s disciplined bowlers to maintain control and dictate the pace of the match.
Pakistan’s run chase got off to a disastrous start as the openers struggled against the New Zealand attack. Saud Shakeel (6 off 19) and captain Mohammad Rizwan (3 off 14) were dismissed cheaply, leaving Pakistan at a precarious 22/2 inside the first ten overs. However, rather than counterattacking to put pressure back on the opposition, Babar Azam adopted an extremely cautious approach, failing to rotate the strike effectively or find gaps for boundaries. While his intent may have been to steady the innings, his inability to score freely meant that Pakistan fell further behind the required run rate as the innings progressed.
Speaking on Star Sports, Bangar analyzed Babar’s approach and highlighted how it allowed the New Zealand bowlers to settle into their rhythm without facing any real threat. He pointed out that while other batters attempted to push for runs, Babar was content with just surviving at the crease, which ultimately put his teammates under additional pressure.
“Babar Azam, batsmen around him were trying to make an effort. No doubt the bowling was pretty disciplined, they bowled straighter lines, but he didn't try anything out of the ordinary to make sure that he disturbed the bowler’s plan. So he let the bowlers dominate, and because of that, he sort of put that chase in a hole in the first ten overs itself,” Bangar explained.
Babar eventually reached his half-century off 80 balls, but by then, the asking rate had already escalated. He attempted to accelerate in the latter part of his innings but struggled to shift gears effectively. Bangar noted that once a batter gets used to a slow-paced innings, it becomes difficult to suddenly play aggressively. While Babar managed to hit a few boundaries towards the end, the damage had already been done, and Pakistan remained behind in the chase.
“Okay, he got to a 50, which was at a slowish, very slow strike rate. And I was hoping that he would open up after he got to his 50, and he did try. But once you bat with that sort of intent in the first 60 or 70 balls, then suddenly finding gears and starting to connect the ball in the middle of the bat certainly doesn't come easy. So in that process, he got a couple of boundaries, but the intent right at the start of the innings may have cost Pakistan the game because, eventually, if you see, 60 runs wasn't a big gap. If they had gotten a partnership in the third or the fourth wicket, this could very well have been a very close game,” Bangar added.
Pakistan’s defeat has also dealt a major blow to their net run rate, which now stands at a worrying -1.200. With their campaign off to a poor start, the pressure is now immense as they prepare for their highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai. This match is now a must-win for Pakistan if they hope to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
A loss against India would severely damage their chances of progressing further in the tournament, making this one of the most crucial encounters of the competition. Pakistan fans, however, will take some inspiration from their famous triumph over India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, where they clinched their maiden title with a dominant 180-run victory. However, with India currently in strong form and boasting a formidable lineup, Pakistan will need a drastic turnaround in their approach, particularly in their batting, if they want to challenge their arch-rivals and revive their campaign. The onus will be on Babar Azam to step up, not just as a captain but as a batter, and lead from the front with a more aggressive and impactful innings.
Pakistan’s bowling department will also need to regroup and make crucial tactical adjustments. Against New Zealand, they struggled to contain runs and lacked a reliable fifth bowling option, which put additional strain on their primary bowlers. In contrast, India will come into the match with a well-balanced team, boasting both explosive batters and a strong bowling attack. Pakistan will need a clear strategy to counter India’s strengths, particularly their top-order batters, who have been in exceptional form.
As the excitement builds for the high-stakes India-Pakistan clash, fans from both sides are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a thrilling contest. With Pakistan facing a do-or-die situation, their approach in this game will be crucial. If they fail to address their batting and bowling concerns, their hopes of making it past the group stage could be in serious jeopardy.
