Title: Babar Focuses on Keeping His ICC Ranking Intact Under Pressure: Kaneria
The ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 has already witnessed some thrilling matches, and the excitement is expected to continue as the tournament progresses. In the latest development, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has expressed his concerns over the batting of the national team, particularly Babar Azam. In a recent interview, Kaneria stated that Babar is more focused on maintaining his ICC ranking rather than winning matches for Pakistan.
Kaneria, who played 61 Tests and 94 ODIs for Pakistan, was speaking ahead of the highly-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. Babar, who has been struggling with his form, scored 64 off 90 balls against New Zealand in their opening match. However, Kaneria was not impressed with the batting display, questioning the intent of the batsmen.
“I’ve scored a fifty, I’ve done it. But where is the intent of winning the match for Pakistan?” Kaneria questioned. “When he is under pressure, he focuses on keeping his stats and ICC ranking intact.”
Kaneria’s comments have sparked a debate in the cricket fraternity, with many experts weighing in on the matter. While some have defended Babar’s innings, citing the pressure of playing against a quality opposition like New Zealand, others have echoed Kaneria’s sentiments, arguing that the batsmen need to show more intent and aggression in their approach.
The pressure on Babar is understandable, given his status as one of the top-ranked batsmen in the world. However, Kaneria’s criticism is valid, considering the importance of winning matches for Pakistan. The team has been struggling to find consistency in their performances, and Babar’s batting has been a major concern area.
Babar has been in exceptional form in the past, but his recent performances have raised concerns about his ability to adapt to different situations. In the Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, he struggled to rotate the strike, often taking unnecessary risks and getting out to poor shots. While 64 off 90 balls is not a bad score, it was not enough to win the match for Pakistan, who ultimately lost by 27 runs.
Kaneria’s comments have also sparked a debate about the team’s approach to batting. Pakistan has traditionally been a team that has relied heavily on the opening partnership of Babar and Imam-ul-Haq. However, with the latter struggling for form, the team has been forced to rely on other batsmen to score big runs. The pressure on Babar to perform has been immense, and it seems that he is often playing for personal glory rather than the team’s success.
In recent years, Pakistan has struggled to find a consistent batting line-up. The team has been plagued by injuries and poor form, which has affected their overall performance. While the bowling attack has been impressive, the batting has been a major concern area. The team’s inability to score big runs has put pressure on the bowlers, who have often had to bowl under pressure.
The Champions Trophy 2025 presents an opportunity for Pakistan to regroup and rebuild their batting. With Babar struggling for form, the team needs to find alternative options to score big runs. The inclusion of Azhar Ali and Asif Ali in the lineup has provided some hope, and the team will be hoping that they can contribute significantly to the team’s success.
In conclusion, Kaneria’s comments have raised important questions about the approach of Pakistan’s batsmen, particularly Babar Azam. While he has been an outstanding batsman in the past, his recent performances have raised concerns about his ability to adapt to different situations. The team needs to find alternative options to score big runs and show more intent in their batting approach. The Champions Trophy 2025 is the perfect opportunity for Pakistan to regroup and rebuild their batting, and it will be interesting to see how they fare in the tournament.
