ICC Champions Trophy 2025: ‘Wondering if he simply lacks …’: R Ashwin criticises Babar Azam’s intent ahead of India vs Pakistan clash | Cricket News

Babar Azam performs a shot through the ICC Champions Trophy match in opposition to New Zealand in Karachi. (Reuters/ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has criticised Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam for his lack of intent through the workforce’s opening sport of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in opposition to New Zealand in Karachi. Chasing a frightening goal of 321, Pakistan had a sluggish begin, managing simply 22 runs for the loss of two wickets within the first 10 overs.
Babar, who performed a key function within the gradual strategy, struggled to search out momentum early in his innings. He scored solely 12 off his first 27 deliveries and ultimately completed with 64 off 90 balls. The lack of acceleration noticed Pakistan fall effectively behind the required fee, in the end shedding by 60 runs.
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Speaking on his YouTube channel ahead of Pakistan’s essential clash in opposition to India, Ashwin didn’t maintain again in his evaluation of Babar’s efficiency.
“I want to say one thing — Babar Azam is a very talented cricketer. But people should not get angry that I have criticised him. Yesterday also, he played a fantastic cover drive. But the result of the entire game cannot be decided by just one cover drive. Cricket is played over an entire innings,” Ashwin said.

Expressing disappointment over Babar’s approach, Ashwin questioned his shot selection.
“There have been two off-spinners bowling, and Babar Azam didn’t attempt to step out even as soon as. He got here ahead on the fallacious ball. When Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips have been bowling with a brief sq. leg in place, he didn’t even try a lap sweep. I used to be questioning if it was a confidence situation or if he simply lacks pictures just like the sweep, reverse sweep, or lower,” he added.
Ashwin was also surprised by injured opener Fakhar Zaman’s aggression compared to Babar’s conservative approach. Fakhar, batting at No.4 instead of his usual opening spot, was dismissed for 24 off 41 balls. However, he was willing to take risks despite his injury. Fakhar has since been ruled out of the tournament, with Imam-ul-Haq replacing him.
“Till the time Fakhar was on the crease, Mitchell Santner didn’t even come on to bowl. Zaman was enjoying with an injured muscle however nonetheless took dangers, whereas Babar was overly cautious. I don’t know if it was the workforce’s technique or Babar’s private strategy to play the anchor function, however I used to be genuinely upset. Despite all this, Pakistan nonetheless managed 260, and all credit score goes to Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah,” Ashwin concluded.
Pakistan, now facing elimination, must win against India in their next group-stage match in Dubai on Sunday to keep their semi-final hopes alive.