Babar Azam scored 90-ball 64 against New Zealand in Karachi. (ICC Media Zone)
Former Pakistan captain Mohammed Hafeez has questioned Babar Azam’s “intent” during his scratchy knock against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. Babar scored 90-ball 64 as defending champions Pakistan lost the opening game by 60 runs.
“Babar is a top player. He has almost scored 18 to 20 thousands runs in the international cricket,” Hafeez said on PTV Sports.
“He is one of the most accomplished cricketer in this current Pakistan cricket team.
“Today he scored a fifty and he looked satisfied. Pakistan lost a game. He scored a fifty and we were not even close to win the game.
“If he would have scored this half-century with an intent, if the knock would have took the game forward then it is good. But this half-century has cost the match to Pakistan team.
Pakistan’s Babar Azam in action (Reuters)
“On the same pitch, under difficult conditions, the likes of Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah were trying to up the ante. Why didn’t we started batting like it in the powerplay,” he said.
Hafeez also slammed the team management for risking Fakhar Zaman for the entire tournament.
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Fakhar Zaman walked off the field due to a muscular sprain in his left ribcage in the first over of the game as he ran after the ball in the outfield and fell awkwardly.
Fakhar returned late in New Zealand’s innings but, according to the rules, he wasn’t allowed to open the innings until 20 minutes into Pakistan innings.
“You give the Champions Trophy to the guy, who sent Fakhar to Bat at No 4,” said Hafeez.
Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman plays a shot during the tri-series ODI cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo) 
Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman during the match. (Reuters)
“Fakhar can’t run. It was a long match. He can’t hit every ball out of the park. Fakhar was not able to score the runs because of running between the wickets.
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“It added extra pressure on Babar Azam. His game is not to take the momentum away. He got that help from Salman Ali Agha.
“We shouldn’t have sent Fakhar to bat. We risked it.
“Now Fakhar might get ruled out of the tournament. Now he won’t be able to play in the tournament. He was playing with pain. Tomorrow Pakistan will travel to Dubai in then two days later they will play the biggest game of the tournament.
“It will be a miracle if Fakhar gets fit before the match against India.”
