Babar Azam's slow knock harmed Pakistan in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand on Wednesday at the National Stadium in Karachi, prompting Ravichandran Ashwin to refer to him as a 'tortoise'. Babar was terribly out of touch throughout a tiresome half-century that hurt Pakistan more than helped them in a crucial run chase during his first ICC game played at home. Pakistan suffered an early setback in chasing a goal of 321 as regular opener Fakhar Zaman, who usually enforces the order early on, was unable to bat at the top of the order due to an injury sustained in the match's opening over.
Pakistan batting fails to perform
During the powerplay, Saud Shakeel and Babar, the new opening duo, showed virtually little intention. In the fourth over, Will O'Rourke got rid of Shakeel. But Babar's troubles were only beginning. Even though he only hit two bounds during the first powerplay, he was able to move the scoreboard. Pakistan finished the powerplay at 22/2, the lowest total of any side in the Champions Trophy, after losing the wicket of skipper Muhammad Rizwan.\
A quick 47-run partnership between Babar and Fakhar Zaman was achieved, although it only lasted 65 balls. The fact that Fakhar's injuries prevented him from running effectively did not aid Pakistan or Babar's cause. Salman Ali Agha's middle-field batting was the only time Pakistan attempted to go for the mark. The local supporters had some optimism as the right-hander hit 42 off 28 balls and scored at a strike rate of 150 with six fours and a six, but their hopes were quickly dashed when he was removed by all-rounder Nathan Smith in the 31st over.
Ashwin on Babar Azam
While Babar struggled at the other end, playing 31 balls for 14 runs, Salman scored 42 of 28 in the 56-run stand. Ashwin remarked that the partnership's chalk-and-cheese style was the ideal representation of the tortoise and rabbit tale.
"Babar’s journey to 50 coupled with Salman Ali Agha’s batting has to be the best depiction of “ The Tortoise and Rabbit story” #ChampionsTrophy. The 50 I hope will come soon enough," he wrote on X.
Babar showed the first indications of carrying the attack to New Zealand when he eventually reached his half-century off 81 balls. He included a six in his 14 runs off of 8 balls. He was removed for a grueling 64 off 90 deliveries, which only had six boundaries, after attempting to hit another one off the park against Mitchell Santner, the captain of New Zealand. Following Babar's dismissal, Khusdil Shah played a cool knock of 66 off 49 balls to ensure that Pakistan's net run rate did not suffer too much and that they could still win the next two games and get to the semi-finals. New Zealand won the match by 60 runs after bowling out Pakistan for 260 in 47.2 overs.