Mohammad Amir Slams Pakistan Batting Line-Up After Embarrassing Loss In Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Amir, the former pacer, has rained harsh criticism on the Pakistan team and blamed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who batted in the top order for their loss to New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening match on February 19.

Pakistan had high hopes when they took the field for their first ICC tournament on home soil in 29 years. However, their hopes were dashed by a high-skilled and professional New Zealand side.

New Zealand was asked to bat first by Mohammad Rizwan, who won the toss in Karachi. New Zealand, despite losing two early wickets in Devon Conway and Kane Williamson, didn’t lose hope.

Will Young and Tom Latham puncture Pakistan

Will Young hit the first century of the event with 107 with 12 fours and 1 six, while Tom Latham top-scored with 118* with 10 fours and 3 sixes. Glenn Phillips, who scored 61 in 39 balls with three fours and four sixes, provided the fireworks in the final few overs.

In 50 overs, New Zealand scored 320/5. Both Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took two wickets for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s bizarre approach to chasing 321 runs; Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan fail

Pakistan responded in a very strange way, scoring 22/2 in 10 overs after Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam contributed 14 runs after Saud Shakeel was dismissed for 6. Salman Agha attempted to boost the ante with 42 in 28 balls after Fakhar Zaman made 24 in 41.

The most worrying was played by Babar Azam, who made 64 in 90 balls with 6 four and 1 six with a success rate of 71.11 and played 52 points. He fell with the 153/6 score, then Khushdil Shah occurred and reduced the deficit when he smoked 69 in 49 balls with 10 four and 1 six.

The tail also stirred a little but Pakistan was dismissed for 260 runs and lost the match by 60 runs. For New Zealand, O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner each took three wickets, while Matt Henry took 2 wickets. New Zealand has scored two 2 important points with this victory.

"We have overrated our players”- Mohammad Amir

Former Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir was not happy with the performance of the Pakistan team and said that the team was filled with over-rated players. He added that the batters didn’t show any intent in the high-scoring chase.

Furthermore, Amir stated that the top order lacked any intent as they set themselves to chase 320 runs.

"We have overrated our players; our players lack skill. I couldn't understand the intent of our players. Performance is another thing, but our top-order didn't even show intent to chase 320 runs,” Amir said on the Pakistan show Hasna Mana Hai.

Mohammad Amir said "We have overrated our players; our players lack skill. I couldn't understand the intent of our players. Performance is another thing, but our top-order didn't even show intent to chase 320 runs" 🇵🇰😭😭 #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/8eleRfC8Ie

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) February 20, 2025

Pakistan will now face India on February 23 in Dubai in a do-or-die match, if they lose this game, they will be eliminated from the ICC Champions Trophy, hosted by them.

Also Read: Fakhar Zaman Ruled Out Of ICC Champions Trophy 2025; PCB Announces Replacement