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In Pakistan’s First ICC Event Since 1996, Babar Azam And Fakhar Zaman Fare Worse Than Batters Of The Past

Bhargav Dixit

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam in action on Wednesday (Source: AP Photos)Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam in action on Wednesday (Source: AP Photos)

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Pakistan’s response to a 321-run chase in the inaugural ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match was deviant even before a ball was bowled. An injury-enforced restriction not allowing Fakhar Zaman to open the batting not only forced Saud Shakeel to open for the first time but also forced captain Mohammad Rizwan to bat at No. 3 for the first time in the format.

An embarrassing 22/2 in 10 overs wasn’t just Pakistan’s lowest powerplay score but also propelled the required run rate to 7.4. 44/0 between overs 10-20 looked comparatively better but didn’t help a team chasing a 300+ target. By the end of the 20th over, Pakistan needed to score at a run rate of 8.5 to beat New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday.

Pakistani Top-Order’s Backward-Looking Approach

While former Pakistan captain Babar Azam played 27 deliveries in the first powerplay, he faced another 20 in the next 10 overs. Only batter to be present in the middle for the first 20 overs, Azam should’ve ideally played more than 47 balls. Having said that, in a match where he ended up with 64 (90) at a strike rate of 71.11, Pakistani fans would’ve thanked him for not facing additional deliveries.

Historically, Azam’s phenomenal ODI numbers have seen him cross the 50-run mark a whopping 54 out of 124 times. His latest innings, however, was his fifth-slowest knock of 50 or more runs.

If truth be told, Azam wasn’t the only one at fault. Zaman’s 24 (41) was equally at fault, if not more. Even though there’s nothing new in Zaman losing his shape while playing big shots, he was losing his shape at the National Stadium primarily because of a muscular sprain. Neither able to time the ball nor run between the wickets properly, the left-handed batter’s strike rate of 58.53 hurt Pakistan in more ways than one.

As much as Zaman’s fitness affected Azam, the latter not showing any intent whatsoever with only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle was a backward-looking approach of the highest order. This is not to suggest that Azam should’ve played shots against his natural game. But the manner in which he played was also not in accordance to his style of play.

Often considered as Pakistan’s modern-day master, Azam should also start batting like one. Especially on big days. Especially when the situation gets tough. With Pakistan hosting an ICC event for the first time in almost three decades, February 19 was quite a big day on paper.

The fact that Pakistan are the defending champions, home fans would’ve expected them to play like champions. In such a situation, sealing a run-chase in excess of 300 would’ve been an ideal start especially after them having done it a week ago at the same ground. That being said, the manner in which Azam and Zaman batted would’ve put the ones who batted in 1996 to shame.