![3 players who can flop for Pakistan [Source: AP Photo]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1739890597741_3flopplayersforPakistan.jpg?type=mq)
3 players who can flop for Pakistan [Source: AP Photo]
Pakistan and New Zealand are set to open the Champions Trophy 2025 as the two teams will collide in the first match of the ICC tournament at the newly renovated Karachi Stadium. Pakistan are the host nation, but despite that, they'll start as the underdogs due to their recent failures at home.
New Zealand won the tri-nation series featuring Pakistan and South Africa and will be confident of pulling a comfortable win to open the account with two points. Pakistan are carrying several players who are out of form and could potentially spoil the game for them on Wednesday against the Kiwi side. Here are 3 such players who could produce flop show in the Champions Trophy opener.
1) Naseem Shah
Naseem Shah ODI stats in tri-nation series
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Matches | 3 |
| Wickets | 3 |
| Average | 60 |
It won't be an understatement to say that Naseem Shah's career has gone downhill and the pacer has suffered considerable injuries in the last few years. On his day, Naseem is a world-beater, but those days are rare to find.
In the recently concluded tri-nation series, Nasem failed to deliver the goods and was taken to the cleaners by the opposition batters as he only picked up only 3 wickets, at an average of 60 as the pacer looked a pale shadow of his former self. If he plays Vs New Zealand, Naseem could be a weak link as he is underconfident heading into the Champions Trophy.
2) Babar Azam
Babar Azam stats in tri-series
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Matches | 3 |
| Runs | 62 |
| Average | 20.67 |
Once touted to be the future great of Pakistan cricket, Babar Azam's downfall needs to be studied by the experts. He hasn't scored an ODI hundred since August 2023 and hasn't played a significant knock since then. In the tri-series, Babar was promoted at the top, but he produced a flop show with scores of 10, 23, and 29.
Mohammad Rizwan confirmed that Babar will open Vs New Zealand and it is a position which doesn't suit Babar. He is tailor-made for number 3 spot, and with him batting out of position, don't be surprised if he fails to score runs.
3) Khushdil Shah
Khushdil Shah stats in tri-series
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Matches | 3 |
| Runs Scored | 22 |
| Wickets Taken | 1 |
For some reason, PCB decided to replace injured Saim Ayub with Khushdil Shah and the move failed in the tri-series as he failed to contribute with both bat and ball.
The all-rounder picked up just a solitary wicket and scored a mere 22 runs as Pakistan lost in the finals and Khushdil failed to create any sort of impact. Pakistan are persisting with him in the playing XI and he could have another average day since the New Zealand players know how to tackle him.
.jpg?type=mq "What a grab!")
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
