Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took a jibe at Pakistan batter Babar Azam over his inning within the PAK v NZ recreation on the Champions Trophy 2025.
The suitable-handed batter acquired extreme backlash over his 64 runs off 90 balls as Pakistan had been put to chase 321 of their opening recreation towards New Zealand on February 19.
The previous Pakistan batter struggled all through his inning as he managed to attain simply 12 runs off 27 balls within the first ten overs of the PAK v NZ recreation.
Consequently, Pakistan had been bowled out for 260 and misplaced the sport by 60 runs to begin their Champions Trophy 2025 on a dismal word.
Reacting to his inning, Ravichandran Ashwin lamented the shortage of intent from the previous Pakistan captain, saying that he didn’t take a threat all through his inning within the facet’s opening recreation on the Champions Trophy 2025.
“I need to say one factor about Babar Azam is a really proficient cricketer. However folks mustn’t get offended that I’ve criticised him. Yesterday additionally, he performed a incredible cowl drive. However, the results of your entire recreation can’t be made by one cowl drive. It needs to be performed fully. I perceive that if a batsman is off form or will get out as a result of it’s a sport. I don’t know tips on how to phrase it. However the place was his intent? Did he preserve it at house? I don’t know what he did,” mentioned Ashwin whereas talking on his YouTube channel.
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Whereas acknowledging that the ball spun within the second inning of the PAK v NZ recreation, the previous India spinner was of the view that Babar Azam didn’t strive another shot to counter the spin bowlers.
“The wicket was a bit troublesome because the ball was spinning a bit however it was staying low. There have been two off-spinners bowling and Babar Azam didn’t attempt to hit one single ball by coming ahead. He got here ahead on the fallacious ball. When Bracewell and Phillips had been bowling by protecting one quick sq. leg, he didn’t play lap sweep towards these bowlers,” Ashwin mentioned.
The previous India spinner raised considerations in regards to the former Pakistan batter’s photographs arsenal, saying that the inning regarded like he didn’t have the flexibility to play any shot aside from cowl drive.
“I used to be having a doubt in my thoughts whether or not Babar Azam is taking part in due to confidence or he doesn’t have photographs like sweep, reverse sweep and never taking part in lower nicely. He was solely taking part in cowl drive,” Ashwin added.