Shoaib Akhtar Slams Babar Azam After Pakistan’s Defeat to India
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar Criticizes Babar Azam after Pakistan’s loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He called Babar a “fraud” and questioned his approach to the game.
Akhtar Rejects Babar-Kohli Comparisons
Speaking on a television show, Akhtar dismissed comparisons between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. He emphasized that Kohli’s mindset and inspirations make him a superior player. Akhtar pointed out that Kohli idolizes Sachin Tendulkar, a player with 100 international centuries, while Babar lacks a strong role model.
“We always compare Babar and Kohli, but who does Kohli admire? It’s Sachin Tendulkar, a player who rewrote cricket history,” Akhtar said.
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Shoaib Akhtar Criticizes Babar Azam Role Models
Akhtar further criticized Babar’s choice of role models, claiming that he follows the wrong influences.
“Who does Babar look up to? Let’s not name names, but his inspirations are completely wrong. His thinking has been misguided from the start,” he added.
Pakistan Struggles as Babar Fails to Perform
Babar, already under pressure, failed to deliver in the high-stakes match. He scored only 23 runs off 26 balls, despite hitting five boundaries. His poor performance added to Pakistan’s struggles in setting a competitive total.
Pakistan posted a 241-run target, but India’s batting lineup chased it down with ease. They secured a six-wicket victory in 42.3 overs, continuing their dominance over their arch-rivals.
Kohli Leads India to Victory
Akhtar also praised Kohli’s match-winning performance, calling him a modern-day legend and a white-ball cricket machine.
“When Kohli plays against Pakistan, he always finds a way to score a century. He is a run machine and a match-winner,” Akhtar said.
Pakistan’s Campaign Ends in Disappointment
Pakistan, the defending champions, failed to defend their title and exited the tournament alongside Bangladesh. Their campaign ended after consecutive defeats to New Zealand and India.
The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will continue until March 9, with the world’s top teams battling for glory.
