Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign got off to a disappointing start as they suffered a 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener at the National Stadium, Karachi, on February 19. Chasing a target of 321 runs, Pakistan’s top-order struggled to build momentum, with skipper Babar Azam’s slow innings drawing widespread criticism.
Adding to the trolling storm on social media, Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took a cheeky dig at Babar Azam’s sluggish innings, comparing it to “The Tortoise and the Rabbit” fable.
“Babar’s journey to 50, coupled with Salman Ali Agha’s batting, has to be the best depiction of ‘The Tortoise and Rabbit story.'”
– Ravichandran Ashwin on X (formerly Twitter).
Ashwin’s comment instantly went viral, with fans mocking Babar’s approach in the high-pressure chase and reigniting debates over Pakistan’s batting intent in major ICC tournaments.
Pakistan’s Slow Start in the Run Chase
Pakistan’s chase got off to a terrible start, losing early wickets and failing to capitalize on the powerplay overs. The scoreboard progression highlighted Pakistan’s extremely slow approach:
🔹 After 10 overs: 22/2 – Babar Azam (12* off 27 balls), Mohammad Rizwan (3 off 14 balls)
🔹 After 15 overs: 49/2 – Babar Azam (22* off 37 balls)
🔹 After 20 overs: 66/2 – Babar and Fakhar Zaman struggling to accelerate
With Salman Agha’s arrival at the crease, Pakistan’s scoring rate finally picked up, but the damage had already been done.
Babar Azam’s ‘Tortoise’ Knock in Numbers
Babar Azam, known for his classy strokeplay, played a painfully slow innings, scoring 64 runs off 90 balls at a strike rate of just 71.1.
📌 Milestones & Key Moments:
✔️ Reached 50 in 81 balls (one of his slowest in ODIs)
✔️ Struggled to rotate strike in the middle overs
✔️ Dismissed in the 34th over – Pakistan at 153/6
Babar’s innings came under severe scrutiny as it added pressure on the middle order, forcing players like Salman Agha (42 off 28 balls) and Khushdil Shah (69 off 49 balls) to take undue risks in an attempt to accelerate the innings.
How Pakistan Collapsed in the Chase
Pakistan’s batting performance was riddled with slow starts, poor shot selection, and lack of partnerships. Here’s a breakdown of how their chase unfolded:
Top-Order Struggles
- Saud Shakeel (6 off 19 balls) fell early to Will O’Rourke, leaving Pakistan at 8/1 in 3.4 overs.
- Rizwan (3 off 14 balls) was dismissed in the 10th over, leaving the team at 22/2.
- Fakhar Zaman (20 off 36 balls) tried to break free but was dismissed by Michael Bracewell at 67/3 in 20.5 overs.
Middle-Order Fightback
- Salman Agha’s counterattack (42 off 28 balls) gave Pakistan a slight chance before he was dismissed at 127/4 in 30.4 overs.
- Babar reached his fifty in 81 balls but was dismissed soon after for 64 off 90 balls, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble at 153/6 in 34 overs.
- Khushdil Shah played a lone warrior knock (69 off 49 balls), hitting 10 fours and a six before falling in the 44th over at 229/8.
Late Surge Not Enough
- Haris Rauf (19 off 10 balls) and Naseem Shah (13 off 15 balls) tried to fight back, but it was too little, too late.
- Pakistan was bowled out for 260 runs in 47.2 overs, falling 60 runs short of the target.
New Zealand’s Bowling Dominance
New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans perfectly, never allowing Pakistan’s batters to dominate or accelerate.
Key Bowling Performances
✅ Will O’Rourke (3/47) – Early wickets, including Rizwan & Shakeel
✅ Mitchell Santner (3/66) – Crucial breakthroughs, including Babar & Tayyab Tahir
✅ Matt Henry (2/42) – Key middle-order wickets
✅ Michael Bracewell & Nathan Smith (1 wicket each)
New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack choked Pakistan’s run flow, leaving them with too much to do in the final overs.
Pakistan’s Struggles Against New Zealand in Champions Trophy
This defeat marks New Zealand’s fourth consecutive victory over Pakistan in Champions Trophy history. The Kiwis remain unbeaten against the defending champions in the tournament.
📌 Pakistan vs New Zealand in Champions Trophy History:
🔹 2009: New Zealand won by 5 wickets
🔹 2013: New Zealand won by 7 wickets
🔹 2017: New Zealand won by 8 wickets
🔹 2025: New Zealand won by 60 runs
Pakistan’s inability to step up in key ICC tournaments continues to haunt them, with their top-order collapses becoming a recurring issue.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
This loss puts Pakistan in a must-win situation ahead of their high-voltage clash against India on February 23.
🔜 Pakistan’s Upcoming Matches in Group A
📅 Pakistan vs India – February 23, Dubai
📅 Pakistan vs Bangladesh – February 27, Rawalpindi
Pakistan must win both matches convincingly to keep their semifinal hopes alive. If they lose to India, their campaign could be all but over.
📢 What Needs to Change?
✅ Faster Starts in Powerplay – No more slow scoring in the first 10 overs.
✅ Better Batting Strategy – Babar Azam needs to lead aggressively, not just anchor the innings.
✅ Stronger Middle Order – Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha showed promise but need support.
✅ Smart Bowling Execution – Pakistan’s bowling attack must restrict opponents to under 300 runs.
Can Pakistan Bounce Back?
Pakistan’s tactical approach in the Champions Trophy opener raised serious questions about their batting strategy and team selection.
While Ravichandran Ashwin’s dig at Babar Azam added fuel to the fire, it’s now up to the Pakistan captain to silence his critics with a strong performance against India.
If Pakistan fails to adapt and play aggressive cricket, their chances of qualifying for the semifinals could be in serious jeopardy.
📢 Stay tuned for more Champions Trophy 2025 updates, live match coverage, and expert analysis! 🏏🔥
