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‘Virat Kohli Is True King, Not Babar Azam…’: Ex-Captain Slams Pakistan Star After Defeat To India

Aakash Saini

Mohammad Hafeez and Babar Azam with Virat Kohli [Source: @tapmadofficial/YouTube, @mufaddal_vohra/x]Mohammad Hafeez and Babar Azam with Virat Kohli [Source: @tapmadofficial/YouTube, @mufaddal_vohra/x]

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Pakistan crashed to a six-wicket defeat against India in match five of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. Star attraction Babar Azam failed to make a mark on the big day, as the cricketer was dismissed for just 23 off 26 balls by Indian fast bowler Hardik Pandya.

In contrast, Indian veteran Virat Kohli headlined the game’s run-chase with a dazzling century from 111 balls. Nonetheless, Babar’s latest batting failure prompted former Pakistan captain and legendary all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to draw comparisons between the two cricketers.

Hafeez says Babar Azam “not true king”

Babar Azam, who is fondly known as the ‘king’ of Pakistan’s modern-day cricket, received a scathing criticism from former captain Mohammad Hafeez after his lop-sided show against Team India in Dubai. Hafeez even claimed that Virat Kohli is more worthy of the ‘king’ title, considering the Indian batting legend has dominated opponents across all conditions.

The former Pakistan skipper said:

“Babar Azam is not the true king; it is Virat Kohli. Look at his performances—he has dominated all over the world. We need to move beyond the PR machinery and focus on real performers.”

Mohammad Hafeez also added that Inzamam-ul-Haq used to win matches for Pakistan out of tough situations, something which Babar Azam is yet to do against arch-rivals Team India in a decade. Moreover, Hafeez also acknowledged that Babar is yet to win a ‘Player of the Series’ award in SENA countries.

“Inzamam ul Haq used to win matches for Pakistan in tough situations. Babar Azam has not won a single game against India in ten years. Babar Azam has no player of the series awards in SENA countries. Forget about winning or losing; you should aim to be the player of the series.”

The Babar Azam-starrer Pakistan team is currently on the brink of early elimination from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. With two defeats in two Group A games, the ‘Men in Green’ fans are hoping for a slew of exterior results to go their way.

Pakistan will now face Bangladesh in their final Group game on February 27 in Rawalpindi.