Danish Kaneria criticized Babar Azam’s poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he scored 23 against India after a defensive 64 against New Zealand. Kaneria alleged that Babar primarily excels against weaker teams like Zimbabwe, questioning his intent and overall batting depth in the Pakistan lineup amidst their early exit from the tournament.
In a recent criticism, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has been vocal about Babar Azam’s lackluster performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Following Babar’s dismissal for 23 runs against India, his struggle against powerful teams has drawn significant attention. Previously, he scored 64 runs against New Zealand, a match in which he exhibited a defensive approach that raised concerns about his intent in high-stakes games.
Kaneria noted that Babar’s runs often come against less formidable teams, suggesting he only performs well against weaker opponents like Zimbabwe. “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. So, there is no intent at all,” he remarked, highlighting his frustration with Babar’s performance.
Further compounding the criticism, Kaneria questioned the overall batting depth of the Pakistan team, singling out captain Mohammad Rizwan’s form for scrutiny. He expressed doubt over the team’s ability to progress in the tournament, suggesting that signs pointed towards an early exit. “When the Champions Trophy squad was announced, one could see it getting eliminated pretty soon out of the tournament,” he added.
Pakistan’s disappointing performance continued with losses in their first two matches against New Zealand and India, resulting in their elimination from the tournament. Their final game against Bangladesh on February 27 now serves as a chance for the team to salvage pride and offer hope to their fans amidst a gloomy tournament run.
In summary, Danish Kaneria’s criticisms of Babar Azam underscore significant concerns regarding his performance in crucial matches during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. His assertion that Babar performs predominantly against weaker teams raises questions about his effectiveness against top-tier opposition. With Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament and concerns about team depth and leadership, the team’s future appears uncertain as they prepare for their final match against Bangladesh.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
