Akhtar criticizes Babar for lackluster performance in CT opener against NZ

Babar's lackluster performance in ODIs caught the attention of fans and critics alike, as he scored a slow 64 off 90 balls against NZ in the Champions Trophy opener. With a strike rate of 71.11, Pakistan fell short by 60 runs in their chase of 321, resulting in a disappointing net run rate of -1.20. The upcoming match against arch-rivals India on Sunday is now a do-or-die situation for Pakistan.

Speaking in the post-match analysis show 'Game On Hai' as quoted by Wisden, Shoaib said, "Babar Azam has become the product he had to become; it is visible; what can I debate about it?. You saw it . There is no intention to improve."

"You cannot run a team by acting like Maula Jatt - 'Bring this, do this, do that' etc. You're not playing T20. You can play T20 cricket with T20 skills, but in longer formats you need awareness, intelligence and method as well. How do you create this package?"

"They used to teach us way back in the 80s and 90s in club cricket how to play run-a-ball. Even us tailenders knew that we have to play run-a-ball," he concluded.

Babar's knock of 64 in 90 balls, was his fifth-slowest 50-plus score in ODIs, with his slowest being an 86-ball fifty against NZ back in 2023. While Babar was no doubt at fault, he did not get much support from top order, who also played extremely conservative cricket, with Saud Shakeel , Mohammad Rizwan , and Fakhar Zaman failing to fire. In the middle order, Salman Agha and Khusdil Shah did come good, but it was not enough as Pakistan was bundled out for 260 in 47.2 overs.

In contrast, Kiwis had well-made centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham and an explosive 61 in 39 balls by Glenn Phillips, which had three fours and four sixes.

In his last 10 ODIs, Babar has scored 354 runs in 10 innings at an average of 44.25, with a strike rate of over 76 and three fifties, with best score of 73. He has not scored an international ton since his century against Nepal in August 2023 during the Asia Cup.

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