Babar Azam Is A Fraud- Shoaib Akhtar After Pakistan’s Loss To India In Champions Trophy 2025

Babar Azam came under heavy criticism by former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar who called the ace Pakistani batter a fraud after his team’s loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 23 in Dubai.

Pakistan had batted first in the game against India in Dubai after Mohammad Rizwan won the toss. Babar Azam looked good in the middle, hitting his trademark cover drives and scoring 23 runs in quick time with 5 fours.

However, Hardik Pandya trapped Babar in playing the same shot and he was caught behind by KL Rahul. While Saud Shakeel scored 62 and Mohammad Rizwan made 46 runs, and Khushdil Shah made 38 runs; Pakistan used up too many dot balls and didn’t get going in the death overs as scored just 241 runs.

“Who is Babar Azam’s hero? Tuk tuk?: Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar appeared on the show ‘Game On Hai’ and lambasted Babar Azam for the way he has played against India. He talked about Babar’s comparison with Virat Kohli and reminded people that Kohli’s idol is Sachin Tendulkar and he is going after his 100 international hundreds.

“We always compare Babar Azam to Virat Kohli. Now tell me who is hero of Virat Kohli? Sachin Tendulkar and he has scored 100 centuries and Virat is chasing his legacy,” Shoaib Akhtar said on the show “Game On Hai.”

He then mentioned that the same cannot be said for Babar Azam, who doesn’t have the thought process and is a fraud.

Babar doesn't have genuine heroes to look up to

“Who is Babar Azam’s hero? Tuk tuk (Without naming any cricketer). You have picked the wrong heroes. Your thought process is wrong. You were a fraud from the beginning. I would not even wish to talk about Pakistan cricket team. I am only doing this because I am getting paid.

This is a waste of time. This deterioration I am seeing since 2001. I have worked with the captains, whose personality used to chance thrice a day,” said Shoaib.

After losing to New Zealand in the first game of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan were handed a six-wicket defeat on Sunday by India in Dubai.

“Hats off to him”- Shoaib Akhtar lauds Virat Kohli

Meanwhile, Kohli made 100* in 111 balls with 7 fours and anchored and led the Indian chase of 241 runs. This was his 51^st ODI century and 82^nd ton in international cricket overall. Akhtar was also full of praise for India’s game-winner Virat Kohli, who ended the night with an unbeaten century.

“We have seen this in the past. When you tell Virat Kohli that he has to play against Pakistan, he will score a century. Hats off to him, he’s like a superstar! He’s a white ball run chaser! Modern-day great! No doubt about him. I’m very happy for him. He deserves all the praise,” Akhtar said.

Pakistan now needs to defeat Bangladesh in their final match and hope that India defeats New Zealand by a huge margin for them to qualify somehow.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Overtakes Sachin Tendulkar To Break This ODI Record In Champions Trophy 2025