The latest loss of the Pakistan cricket team against India, during the Champions Trophy 2025, will hence open up a Pandora’s Box. Since the 2017 Champions Trophy final, Pakistan have not secured an ODI victory over India. By losing on Sunday, they put themselves in jeopardy of being knocked out of the Champions Trophy 2025, which they are hosting, in the group stage itself. Consequently, it seems the major brunt is bore by none other than Babar Azam (23, 26b).
In the earlier years of his mission, Babar Azam was a comparison with Virat Kohli, but the years went by, the gap widened multifold. After today’s latest flop show, the former brilliant pace star of Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar, laid somewhat nasty criticism on Babar Azam by bringing up an example of Virat Kohli.
“Let’s us try to just round off Virat Kohli a little bit. Tell me now, who is the hero of Virat Kohli? Sachin Tendulkar made 100 centuries and Virat is chasing that legacy,” Akhtar told PTV Sports.
“Who is Babar Azam’s hero? Tuk tuk (without naming any cricketer). You have picked the wrong heroes. Your thought process is wrong. You were a fraud from the beginning. You were caught in the very beginning. You made it clear in the ICC Champions Trophy itself that ‘I became number 1 for one and half days.’ You are not number 1. You promoted the wrong people.”
Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli made for a cheerful sight for Babar Azam as the former Pakistan captain was patted on the back by Kohli ahead of the fine clash between India and Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday at Dubai International Stadium.
The two batting icons were seen greeting each other and sharing tongue-in-cheek banter as Babar and fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq walked onto the field.
The social media users, however, were fast to catch sight of this playful camaraderie that was soon to become a buzz on social media in the form of pictures and videos from the brief meet. Some comments included, “Friendship” while another said, “That’s why we love Kohli”.
Kohli and Babar stand together amongst the current brightest batters in world cricket, but it appears Babar is on the downward trajectory for the time being.
During India’s 2022 England tour, when Kohli was struggling with his form, Babar shared a picture of them during a match on social media with the message, “This too shall pass”. Responding to Babar’s support on X, Kohli wrote, “Thank you. Keep shining and rising. I wish you all the best”.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Mohammed Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat first. India’s first chain of fast bowlers Shami and Harshit Rana went wicketless in their opening spells before Hardik Pandya provided the first breakthrough with an overpriced dismissal of Babar Azam in the ninth over. Following a knock of 23 off 23 with five boundaries, Babar was atrade in a direct hit by Axar Patel that sealed the fate of Imam-ul-Haq for 10 off 26.
In a must-win gaming match, Pakistan had to start hunting for an avenue to realize their semi-final aspirations from Group A after falling 60 runs short to New Zealand in their tournament opener in Karachi. In stark contrast, India began their campaign with a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
