![Babar Azam at the National Stadium in Karachi [Source: @iMShami_/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1739292451314_pakistan.jpg?type=tq)
Babar Azam at the National Stadium in Karachi [Source: @iMShami_/x]
Senior Pakistan batter Babar Azam received a huge ovation from the crowd at a new-look National Stadium in Karachi on February 11. During the venue’s grand inauguration ceremony roughly a week prior to the launch of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, several Pakistani cricketers and musical artists gathered at the stadium to entertain fans on a celebrated evening.
Babar Azam receives grand ovation in Karachi
Legendary batter and senior pro Babar Azam, perhaps Pakistan’s biggest brand in modern-day cricket, received a thunderous applause during the inauguration ceremony of the National Stadium in Karachi on February 11. At a time when the legendary ‘Men in Green’ batter was signifying the importance of representing his nation ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the cricketer got seemingly overwhelmed by the fervent crowd support he received at the venue.
Babar Azam, who usually bats in the middle order for Pakistan in ODIs, will likely be opening the innings alongside blistering opener Fakhar Zaman at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The 30-year-old is currently representing the Pakistan national team in the ongoing tri-series at home against South Africa and New Zealand. While the cricketer failed to go big in the recently-concluded Test series against West Indies, Babar listed cracking match-winning half-centuries during his previous ODI assignment in South Africa a couple of months ago.
Nonetheless, he and the rest of his Pakistani teammates will face New Zealand in the opening match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on February 19 next week at the National Stadium in Karachi.
 "Aakash Saini")
