Danish Kaneria has criticized Babar Azam for poor performances in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, noting his struggles against significant teams. After a lackluster outing against India and only moderate success against weaker opponents, concerns about the team’s batting depth are prevalent. Pakistan’s early elimination adds pressure as they prepare for their final match against Bangladesh.
Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has criticized current captain Babar Azam following his struggles during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Despite being a prominent player, Babar has received backlash due to a poor strike rate, particularly after a lackluster performance against India, where he scored only 23 runs from 26 balls, adding to his dismal record of 241 runs against India in eight innings.
In the tournament, Babar’s performance has been underwhelming, highlighted by his 64 runs off 90 balls against New Zealand, a match that showcased his defensive style in a high-pressure chase of 321 runs. Kaneria pointed out that Babar’s runs tend to come against weaker teams, claiming, “Babar has not scored runs for so long. But when he scores, it is against Zimbabwe or against smaller teams. If he scores against big teams, there is no intent at all.”
Babar recently lost his top ODI ranking to Shubman Gill, which reflects his declining performance. Since the beginning of 2023, he has amassed 1,442 runs over 35 innings, with an average of 45.06, yet his strike rate of 82.49 stands among the worst for players with over 1,000 runs in that timeframe. Kaneria extended his critique by questioning the overall depth of the batting lineup, especially the performances of captain Mohammad Rizwan, further emphasizing the team’s early exit from the Championship.
Pakistan’s dismal showing in the tournament culminated in elimination after losing their first two matches against New Zealand and India. With one remaining game against Bangladesh, the team aims to conclude the tournament on a more positive note, as their earlier performances have disappointed their supporters.
In summary, Danish Kaneria’s criticism of Babar Azam highlights serious concerns regarding the captain’s performance on the international stage, particularly in high-stakes matches. With the ongoing poor form and a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, questions about the team’s batting depth and leadership are being raised. As Pakistan prepares for their last match against Bangladesh, the opportunity for redemption remains a small consolation amidst expectations for improvement.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
