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The much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 kicked off with a thrilling encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. Cricket fans were eager to witness the return of the prestigious tournament as the hosts aimed to begin their campaign on a strong note. However, New Zealand proved to be formidable opponents, setting a daunting total for Paki♋stan to chase.
New Zealand post a competitive total
After being put in to bat first, New Zealand put up a stellar performance, amassing 320/5 in 50 overs. Will Young played a crucial knock, scoring 107 runs, while Tom Latham ✨remained unbeaten on 118, guiding the Kiwis to ಌa challenging total. The Pakistani bowlers struggled to break key partnerships, allowing the visitors to gain the upper hand.
Babar Azam trolled for slow knock in Pakistan’s chase
Chasing a daunting target of 321, Pakistan suffered early setbacks as Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman failed to make an impact, leaving the hosts reeling at 69/3. With the pressure mounting, Babar Azam took charge and attempted to stabilize the innings alongside Salman Ali Agha, stitching together a much-needed part🌊nership. However, Babar’s approach was notably conservative, as he focused more on preserving his wicket rather than keeping up with the required run rate. While his intent to anchor the innings was evident, his strike rate of just over 71 did not sit well with the fans, especially in a high-pressure chase where acceleration was crucial.
Despite spending significant time at the crease, the formerPakistani skipper failed to shift gears, allowing New Zealand’s bowlers to maintain c⛎ontrol over the game. His eventual dismissal for 64 off 90 balls came at a critical juncture, dealing a severe blow to Pakistan’s already fading hopes of pulling off a successful chase. With the scoreboard pressure increasing and wickets falling at the other end, Pakistan found themselves in deep trouble, struggling to keep ♏up with the ever-mounting required run rate.
As the ౠmatch slipped further away from Pakistan’s grasp, fans took to social media to express their frustration, criticizing Babar for what they perceived as an overly cautious and selfish knock.
Also WATCH: Glenn Phillips ꦿplucks a one-handed screamer to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in PAK vs NZ clash – Champions Trophy 2025
Here is how fans reacted:
King Babar Azam
— Desi Bhayo (@desi_bhayo88)
BABAR AZAM TODAY:
– Lost the Number 1 ranking.
– Scored 64 runs from 90 balls while chasing 320 runs.— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Babar Azam is an evolved soul, he’s above all these material things like 2 points from a v🐼ictory, he’s on a different journey …. He’s playing in a completely different game in his head.
— Danish Sait (@DanishSait)
Babar azam today 😭😭
— 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁 (@DilSeMemes)
Babar’s journey to 50 coupled with Salman Ali Agha’s battingဣ has to be the best dep✨iction of “ The Tortoise and Rabbit story” .
The 50 I hope will come soon enough🤞
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99)
Ready to watch them after Babar Azam Batting
— SarcasmHit (@SarcasmHit)
It's about time, Babar Azam is dropped permanently from all formats.
For the sake of Pak Cricket team, we have to get rid of him.
He has wasted enough years of my team.
Let us be free from this 🔔 pandemic now.— Abdullah (@abdullahhammad4)
Bab🥂ar Azam scored 81 balls fifty to get his number-1 ODI rank back when PAK were chasing 32✨1 runs in 50 overs.
-Statpadding King Bobby Badshah is back🔥🥵
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy)
Babar Azam and Moha൲mmad Rizwan together chasing 321 vs Newzealand 🔥
— कट्टर INDIA समर्थक 🦁🇮🇳 ™ (@KKRWeRule)
Babar Azam is the most selfish batter of all time
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta)
❀BABAR AZAM SCORED 64 (90) AT 71.11 STRIKE RATE♚ IN A 320 RUN CHASE. 🤯
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Mission Succesfull ✅
Babar Azam Improved hi🅠s batting Average🏅 from 55.73 to 55.80
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar)
A disappointed Pakisꩲtani fan with Bab⛎ar Azam poster at Karachi stadium.
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh)
