Pakistan To Drop Babar Azam After Champions Trophy 2025? Shoaib Akhtar's Startling Claim

Babar Azam has been poor with the bat in 2024 [Source: @iamAhmadhaseeb/X]

Pakistan's former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes that the PCB selection committee might drop Babar Azam from the white-ball setup if he doesn't regain his mojo in the upcoming Champions Trophy tournament. Hailed for his glorious stroke-play, Babar Azam has struggled to get going in recent times, with his poor form affecting Pakistan's performance across formats. 

Considering Babar Azam's prolonged rough patch, Akhtar thinks that Pakistan might exclude him from their ODI and T20I setup if he doesn't play match-winning knocks in the Champions Trophy. Speaking to a local news channel, the legendary pacer stated that Babar needs to change his mindset and prove his mettle in the marquee event if he wishes to retain his place. 

"He's a star, I back him, but the thing is with the new management, new mindset, he has to change his neurological wiring because the new management will not consider him in T20s, as a matter of fact, even for the one-dayers," Akhtar was quoted as saying by TOI. 

"Otherwise the Champions Trophy is the time and the place where Babar needs to be on the forefront for Pakistan. He should dominate the tournament and needs to score three match-winning hundreds in the Champions Trophy to prove himself in the format. Otherwise, the path will be very difficult," he added. 

Babar Azam's Recent Form Raises Doubt On His Place

Renowned for his consistency and picture-perfect batting, Babar Azam has sustained a lean patch in 2024, amassing only 935 runs at a mediocre average of 32.24. So, with Kamran Ghulam and Tayyab Tahir playing impactful knocks, Babar needs to grab his chances in order to keep his place in the playing XI. 

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