Shoaib Akhtar furious as Pakistan plays 143 dot balls against New Zealand

Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign started with disappointment as they suffered a heavy 60-run defeat to New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar strongly criticized Babar Azam’s slow batting and Pakistan’s overall performance, questioning their intent and game awareness.   

After the match, Shoaib Akhtar spoke on a sports show, where he harshly criticized Babar Azam. He claimed that Babar has reached his peak as a cricketer but hasn’t evolved his game to dominate in ODIs and Tests.  

“The product that was supposed to be made, Babar has been made. It is visible. Now what do I debate about it? You have seen it, right? Now you don’t have the intention to get well. You can’t run a team like MolaJet. Even if you are an aware cricketer, then where will you get this package from? They used to teach you this back in the late 80s and 90s when you used to play in clubs,” Shoaib said.  

One of Shoaib Akhtar’s biggest concerns was Pakistan’s inability to rotate the strike. The team played 143 dot balls against New Zealand, which hurt their chase.  

“They also used to teach you how to play a runner ball. Even we tailenders also knew that you have to play a runner ball. Why can’t our batters play run-a-ball? We played 143 dot balls tonight. Terrible! Our batters can’t rotate the strike. Why?” he questioned.   

Shoaib also pointed out that Pakistan relied too much on young players like Saim Ayub instead of their senior batters. He questioned why Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have been playing for years, failed to step up.  

“Where was our intent? Where was the strategy? If Salman Ali Agha can show intent, then why can’t others do it? You were depending on Saim Ayub to win this tournament for you? Why can’t those players do it who have been playing for 10 years?” Shoaib said.  

Pakistan will need to improve quickly if they want to stay in the tournament. Their next match is crucial, and all eyes will be on how Babar Azam and his team respond to this criticism.