Pakistan’s Ex-captain Breaks Silence On King Appreciation

Pakistan’s former captain, Babar Azam, has urged his fans to stop addressing him as 'King' after his recent struggles at the opening position during the tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, just before the Champions Trophy 2025.

His response came after their commanding victory against the Proteas by six wickets. The Green Brigade chased down 355 runs in 49 overs at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Pakistan stuns world cricket with highest successful chase

Both the Mohammad Rizwan and Temba Bavuma-led sides came into the fixture in Karachi after their defeats against New Zealand. The winner of the encounter would meet the Blackcaps in the final of the tri-series.

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On a solid batting surface, the Proteas decided to bat first. Thanks to their captain’s 82-run knock in 96 balls, they went off to a flying start before the last match’s centurion, Matthew Breetzke, came at number three and carried the same momentum for his 83 runs.

The free-flowing striking from Heinrich Klassen provided South Africa the required push towards the end of the innings. The wicket-keeper batter drilled 87 runs in just 56 deliveries at a strike rate of 155.36, shouldering on 11 boundaries and three sixes. Kyle Verreynne remained unbeaten on 44 runs in 32 balls at a strike rate of 137.5 to finish on 352/5 in their allotted 50 overs.

Pakistan started aggressively, thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s knock of 41 runs in 28 balls, thanks to six boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 146.43. Babar Azam also started to charge the bowlers for 23 runs. But with three down for 91 runs in the 11th over, the chase was going away from the home side.

However, the 260-run record stand between leader Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha pushed him close to the finishing line. Both batters celebrated their respective centuries. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122 runs with nine boundaries and three sixes, while Agha cracked 134 runs in just 103 balls to register their six-wicket victory.

Babar Azam’s recent ODI struggle for Pakistan

Babar Azam finished the previous year with 228 ODI runs in six innings at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 76.51 with the help of two half-centuries at the best score of 73.

Even in 2023, the right-handed batter drilled 1065 ODI runs in 24 innings at an average of 46.30 and a strike rate of 84.66, shouldering on ten fifties and two centuries at the best score of 151. But his recent struggle just before the Champions Trophy isn’t a good sign for Pakistan.

In the first two games against New Zealand and South Africa, Babar managed just 33 runs at an average of 16.50. In a recent media interaction, he denied hearing the appreciation of being called King.

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“Please stop calling me the king. I am not like that and need to forget the past and look ahead. I need to focus on the present.” He claimed.

Pakistan hopes Babar Azam to be back in form for Champions Trophy

With the injury of Saim Ayub, Babar was promoted to the opening position for Pakistan. The former captain has struggled at that position in the ODI format. In four innings, he has just 59 runs, opening the batting at an average of 14.75 and a strike rate of 75.64.

His 5416 runs in 104 innings at number three at an average of 60.18, shouldering on 19 centuries and 29 fifties will be much more comfortable for the batter. It will be interesting to see whether he bats in the Champions Trophy.