Pakistan cricket has been struggling in recent years, with constant changes in Captaincy, coaches, and selectors, but things haven’t improved or changed. These changes have hurt many players, including Babar Azam, one of Pakistan’s most talented cricketers. His form has dropped, and he has lost the captaincy twice. Recently, his performance in the Champions Trophy led to criticism from former players.

Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has backed up for Babar Azam after he faced criticism from ex-cricketers. Speaking to Sportstar, he said, "You have only one star player. If you keep bringing him down, how will Pakistan cricket move forward? Former players should stop with the negativity."

Ajmal pointed out that every cricketer goes through tough times. "Bad form is a part of the game. You can't always play the same way. Even Sachin Tendulkar didn’t score a hundred in every match." After Pakistan's disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy, the PCB board made quick changes. Mohammad Rizwan was removed as T20I captain, and both he and Babar Azam were dropped from the team.

“You only have one star and that is Babar Azam, if u will disrepect him then dont expect your cricket to survive” - Saeed Ajmal pic.twitter.com/158VeGgAwF

— Jalaad 🔥 حمزہ (@SaithHamzamir) March 15, 2025

Ajmal disagreed with the decision, saying, "Dropping them like this was unfair. It's not like they were the only ones struggling. The selectors should have talked to Babar about taking a break so he could come back stronger."

"Babar and Rizwan are great players. Their records are as good as anyone’s the only difference is that they don’t play very aggressively, but they still score runs. Now, suddenly, people think you have to be aggressive to succeed in international cricket."

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"Come on, what aggression are we even talking about? If they are proven match-winners, they don’t need to change their style. Even legends like Virat Kohli take their time to settle before attacking that’s just how he plays."

Pakistan’s matches in the Champions Trophy 2025 campaign were a big disaster, Team is not performing well in the group stage after losing all three matches. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made big changes to the squad for the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand.

The biggest shock was the exclusion of Babar Azam and captain Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I squad against Newzland. Babar, who has been under pressure for his inconsistent performances, scored just 126 runs in three games in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, including a slow 64 in a losing effort in the Touranment. His struggles led to heavy criticism, with former cricketers like Shoaib Akhtar even calling him a "fraud".

Babar Azam's father, Azam Siddique, reacts to his son's exclusion from Pakistan's T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand series 🇵🇰🗣️#BabarAzam #T20Is #Pakistan #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/ncbwvfuW7r

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) March 6, 2025

Babar’s father, Azam Siddique, came to his defense, hitting back at the PCB and critics in a fiery social media post on Instagram.

"The boss is always right. He was named in the ICC’s T20I Team of the Year, yet he was still dropped. That’s okay. He will prove himself in National T20 and PSL. Insha Allah, he will make a strong comeback. Former players should think before they speak. If someone replies to them, they might not be able to handle it. They are the past, and that chapter is closed," he wrote. He also slammed those questioning his support for Babar, saying a father will always stand by his son.

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Babar Azam Dropped as PCB Shakes Up Squad for New Zealand Tour

Aaqib Javed, Pakistan’s interim head coach and selector, explained that the team wants to develop a new playing style for modern-day T20 cricket.

"Most top teams have 70% different squads for T20s. We are also working on that before the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. We need players who play fearless cricket," Javed said in Lahore. With these changes, Pakistan is looking to rebuild and prepare for the big tournaments ahead like Asia Cup and T20 World Cup .

For nearly a decade, cricket fans worldwide admired the legendary 'Fab Four': Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root. These four players were the biggest faces in international cricket, across formats, for almost a decade, bombarding records with great consistency, technique, and leadership. However, as time passes, the once-invicible quartet is now showing signs of fading away, raising questions about the next era of cricketing greats.

The Fab Four In Tests
Test cricket has been the ultimate proving ground for these four marstros. Kohli's dominant captaincy and stroke play, Smith's unorthodox but very effective technique, Williamson's calmness, and Root's classical style make them a force to reckon with. However, with age comes a different team dynamic, slowly nearing the edge of this sheer joy. Though Root and Williamson continue to be key players for their teams, Smith and Kohli have, in more recent years, struggled to provide that consistency.

The Fab Four In ODIs
The Image in below post a noticeable shift - Smith has turned black and white, suggesting that he is no longer capable of using his own skills. While modern-day cricket embraces power-hitting and aggressive strike rates, the dominance of the Fab Four in ODIs has been challenged by rising stars such as Babar Azam and Shubman Gill. While Kohli is still as formidable as ever, his role continues to evolve, while Williamson and Root seem to be throwing in the towel and unable to maintain their high standards in ODIs.

The Fab-four are fading away 😢 pic.twitter.com/4bWDFpsdDP

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 5, 2025

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The T20I Scenario of the Fab Four 
If there is one thing to take away from this image of T20 cricket, it is that the influential players of the format—Captain Kohli, Captain Smith, and Captain Root—all have reduced influences on T20. Power hitters and batting with a focus on the strike rate have largely edged out these players. Even though Williamson is hailed as an astute captain, he has not been hitting it big in terms of strike rates. As for Root, he has rarely made an appearance on the T20I stage.

The Future of the Fab Four 
Now as the Fab Four slowly dissolve, they leave behind unanswered questions: who will be winning these winks instead? Enter Babar Azam, Marnus Labuschagne, and Shubman Gill, who are already making their presence felt. But Kohli, Smith, Williamson, and Root will be an impossible feat to replicate. Cricket is in a state of transition.

Although the Fab Four show every sign of no longer being in their prime, their endeavors have forever inscribed them into history. Whether they will have a second innings or leave the scene gracefully will still play out. For now, it is the fans who can only turn back the pages of history and reminisce about the golden age they created.

Pakistan Team has been out of the Champions Trophy where they have faced widespread criticism. Pakistan fought with the ICC to host the venue of the Champions Trophy 2025 and they were granted a hybrid model. While India refused to travel to Pakistan due to security reasons and political conditions. Pakistan played, their first match against New Zealand and lost the match eventually and travelled to Dubai to face their arch-rivals India. India beat Pakistan and within 4 days of its inauguration, Pakistan was out of the Champions Trophy. 

Having a mere chance but Pakistan match itself, was white washed against Bangladesh and both team setteled with single points. That raised various question on PCB their player managment their, staffs and most importantly the coach Aquib Javed. All were under the radar, Pakistan has lavished huge amount of money in, renovation of stadium and their team, were out within 4 days. Even fans had various questions around the team scrutinity. 

Read More: We will play fearless cricket says Pakistan New T20 captain Salman Ali Aga

Big players were under the radar.

It was noticed that Pakistan's team were under serious pressure, even their main players took the late acceleration. It has been said that when Babar and Rizwan play together run rate drops quickly. Even their bowling department had not worked out where Shaheen Afridi their premier bowler was leaking runs which mount up the pressure on, the team. Upon all this when their journey finished PCB tried to revamp everything from their system. As earlier they excluded Gary Kiersten and Gasom Gellispe too. Then they acquired Aquib Javed and under his guidance, they won the test series. 

After Champions Trophy everything was lost, Now Pakistan is ready with their next assignment of New Zealand series where they are going to play 5 t20 and 3 Odi international matches.  There have been lots of changes where Babar has been removed from T20s and added in ODI and Salman Ali Aga has given a chance to lead the team with Shadab Khan as vice captain of the team. 

Pakistan T20I squad: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Agha (capt), Irfan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyaan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan

Read More: Will India Take Up The Revenge Of 2000 Champions Trophy

Pakistan ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (capt), Salman Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir.

Basit Ali unimpressed by the selection

Former Pakistan player Basit Ali is clearly unimpressed with the team selection stating that deserving candidates still didn't get chance. In his You Tube channel he went on saying what type of selection is this, Where is Saud Shakeel your highest run scorer in Pakistan India game, now his name suddenly gone He has claimed that deserving players had been sidelined while others secured their places through backdoor channels. 

The selectors have chosen most of the CT squad you removed Babar in T20 and included him Odi was quite Ok, He went on to ask Where is Mohammad Hasnain, who is your next big fast bowler, not in the squad? He has proven his ability, yet he is ignored in both formats and he didn't get a chance in CT either. What kind of injustice is this to a young, talented player? It's like they are circulating these 3-4 players and making a team which is not good for the future of Pakistan Cricket.

Pakistan Drops Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for New Zealand T20I Series

Pakistan's cricket selectors have brought in radical changes to the T20I side for the coming series against New Zealand. The biggest shock is that Babar Azam, the ex-captain, and Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper-batter, have been left out of the squad. Salman Agha is now the new T20I captain in their place, while Shadab Khan will act as the vice-captain.

New Faces in the Squad
With Babar and Rizwan unavailable, Pakistan has brought in new players to try their luck in T20 cricket. Mohammad Haris has been brought back into the team, while young guns such as Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad have been handed an opportunity. Omair Yousuf, a talented batter from the Quetta Gladiators, has also been added to the team.The bowling attack is unchanged, with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf heading the pace attack. But Naseem Shah has been left out of the T20I team.

Pakistan name ODI and T20I squads for New Zealand tour

Details here ➡️ https://t.co/h5ZvZ3nuOY#NZvPAK

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) March 4, 2025

Changes in the ODI Squad
For the ODI team, Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as the captain, and Babar Azam is still in the squad. Shaheen Afridi, however, has been omitted from the ODI team. Left-arm pacer Akif Javed has been given his maiden call-up to the national team in his place. Abdullah Shafique also returns to the ODI team after being left out of the last tournaments.
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Reason for the Changes
These are part of Pakistan's plan to try out new combinations before the T20 World Cup, to be held in the West Indies and USA next year. The selectors are eager to try out new talent and prepare a balanced team for the future.

Playing in ICC tournaments is a real test of the mettle of a cricketer under pressure. Two contemporary stars, India's Shreyas Iyer and Pakistan's Babar Azam, have proved their worth on the international stage.

Whereas Babar is famous for his consistency and captaincy, Iyer has impressed with his big-match performances.

Shreyas Iyer in ICC Events

Shreyas Iyer first appeared in the ICC tournament in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Although he wasn't experienced enough, he was a vital player in India's run.

Shreyas Iyer's ICC Tournament Stats (2023 ODI World Cup):

• Matches Played: 11
• Total Runs: 530
• Batting Average: 66.25
• Strike Rate: 97.27
• Centuries/Fifties: 2/3
• Best Score: 128*

Key Performances:

• 128 vs Netherlands:* A stupendous knock during the group stage.
• 105 vs New Zealand (Semi-Final): A match-winning century in a tight knockout encounter.
•  82 vs Sri Lanka: A thrilling innings that enabled India to register a huge score.

Iyer's capability to push the innings and deliver under pressure makes him an asset middle-order batsman.

Also See : Karun Nair's Ranji Trophy Heroics: 86 & 135 – A Strong Case for India Test Recall!

Babar Azam in ICC Events

Babar Azam has been the mainstay of Pakistan's batting unit in ICC events, playing in the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy since 2017.

Babar Azam's ICC Tournament Stats (ODI & T20 World Cups):

• Matches Played: 43
• Total Runs: 1,604
• Batting Average: 42.2
• Strike Rate: 81.13 (ODIs), 112.15 (T20s)
• Centuries/Fifties: 1/15
• Best Score: 101*

Key Performances:

• Scored a spectacular 101 against New Zealand during the 2019 ODI World Cup*.
• Led Pakistan to the final of the T20 World Cup 2022 as captain.

Has faced criticism for a poor strike rate in pressure situations.

Despite his consistent run-scoring, Babar has been criticized for being conservative in do-or-die matches, especially in ICC knockout matches.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Shreyas Iyer vs Babar Azam in ICC Competitions

Performance Analysis:

• Iyer is superior on average and strike rate even though he has played fewer games.
• Babar has more runs and experience, but his performance in knockout matches is inferior.
• Iyer has played high-pressure games, while Babar has played well but not that aggressively in crucial moments.

If we consider total experience and total runs, then the advantage lies with Babar Azam

If we compare strike rate, match-winning potential, and pressure match performances, then Shreyas Iyer has been superior.

Also See : Karun Nair's Ranji Trophy Heroics: 86 & 135 – A Strong Case for India Test Recall!

It's almost quater half of Champions Trophy and semi finalists have been drawn to respective groups. India And New Zealand have qualified for the semi-finals. Where Bangladesh and Pakistan have been officially out from the Champions Trophy. 

After the loss against India, Pakistani fans have lashed out at their team. Even former Cricketers like Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raza, and Mohammad Hafeez also showed their disappointment in the team. Spending 12 million on renovation the performance of the team has been mediocre which is unacceptable for anyone. 

Read More: Virat Kohli Would Have Been Given Out For Obstructing The Field An Opportunity Missed By Pakistan

Shoaib Akhtar Lashes Out at Babar Azam

 The loss against India has devasted the Pakistan nation even in their difficult times. It has created a great choice. Even the Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar couldn't hold his anger back, giving an interview to a local channel he says he does not want to speak about Pakistan team which is drowned at its bottom. 

Even people here who consider Babar Azam a king should close this call he is nothing in front of the real king Virat Kohli who had chased the target and scored a brilliant century tell me when did your Babar Azam make your team win or what his contribution to the team for the last 10 years. I would consider him a big fraud who just makes his runs and gets out. Let me give you an example Virat Kohli idolizes Sachin Tendulkar who has 100 centuries beneath him and Virat Kohli is a modern great who is following his footsteps now consider your standards. 

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PCB Is Under Utter Shell

TThere have been talks that some of Pakistani players carry injuries but still they play because they think if once they are out from team they can't get into the team back. Shoaib condemns that you are such a team where you change your team combination, your captain, your coaches in every series then what type of stability you possess. 

Players don't have unity within them, there is no backing what you want me to say you include Imam ul Haq who just has an average of 12 against India. You missed out carrying a spinner in a sub-continent side where other teams carry two spinners, Check yourself where you stand. I am in a lot of control with my words. Now you have been out whom you are going to blame. 

Sohaib says the cycle gonna continue till the next ICC tournament and nothing going to change because the management itself is in nuttshell. 

After 29 years of wait Pakistan is hosting a major ICC event. Past-time Champions Trophy winners are hosting the event. Pakistan plays its first match on 19 February and is been out of Champions Trophy 2025 within 6 days of the gap. 

 Pakistan lost the match against their arch-rivals India, where Virat Kohli's brilliant century paved the salvation of the victory but this could have been changed if Pakistani players had used the opportunity. 

Virat Kohli Obstructing The Field

India was on to the chase and they lost a few quick wickets at the start though Virat Kohli and Iyer were there to rescue. The incident happened in the 21 over of the match when Kohli played a shot on the offside and took a quick single, even Kohli reached the bowling crease but the fielder threw the ball and he tried to catch the ball which depicted but the ball passed through Kohli gloves and standing behind Babar Azam too misses the ball. This was even highlighted by Sunil Gavaskar who was doing commentary at that time stating that Kohli shouldn't have done that otherwise, it would have been a big mistake. 

pic.twitter.com/uXwJniGle6

— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) February 23, 2025

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 But the issue there arises that none of the Pakistan team appealed to the umpire about this. Yes, this would have been given out on certain circumstances which depends on the third umpire call it would be a chance of 60-40 where he could be given out for obstructing the ball. 

How It Been Measured

Obstructing The Field is a rule that if any batter who tries to cover the flow of the ball to not reach the stumps thrown by the fielder that is called Obstructing the field and in this case the batter is given out for relevant disturbance which had happened earlier too in cricket field. There have been several instances earlier too in the cricket field. 

Match between Bangladesh and New Zealand where Mushfuqir Rahim was batting and hit the ball over cover fielders fields and threw the ball though being inside the crease he deflected the ball with a bat and the New Zealand players started appealing for it umpire gave it out for obstructing the field. 

2. The second case was a match between India and Pakistan where Sreesanth was bowling to Inzamamul Haq he stroked the ball and the ball went straight back to Sreesanth he collected it throws it back to him because he was quite upfront though Inzamamul Haq stopped the ball with bat though standing diagonal where wickets were just side opposite and the appeal for obstructing the field happened and he was given out through the through was deliberately on him

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 So in the same case if any Pakistan players had appealed for it there would be a possible chance Virat Kohli would have been given out and the scenario would have been different because India too had lost wickets in regular intervals it was Kohli who stabilised if at that time anyone would have been appealed it would have been a tricky chase for India but for now its one opportunity. Now Pakistani players have been criticised on social media for how they missed this opportunity. 

It took almost three decades for Pakistan to finally stage an ICC event, but it became a horror story for the hosts. Instead of expecting high-flying events at home, Pakistan, ironically, became the first team eliminated from the Champions Trophy.

A Tournament at Home: But Not Really
The thrill of having an ICC event after 29 years was soon lost when Pakistan was forced to host its do-or-die match against India in Dubai rather than on home ground. Something that was supposed to be a milestone for Pakistani cricket was lost, as the 'home ground advantage' was lost.

19th Feb - Champions Trophy started.
24th Feb - Pakistan eliminated.

PAKISTAN HOSTING AN ICC EVENT AFTER 29 YEARS ARE KNOCKED OUT IN 5 DAYS. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/daScqVVhLB

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 24, 2025

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A Forgettable Campaign
Pakistan's on-field performance only contributed to the letdown. Their tournament lasted a mere five days before they were eliminated, and they became the first team to be eliminated from the competition. There were high hopes, but the team was unable to deliver when it counted the most.

A Tough Pill to Swallow
For a nation that has long been denied the honour of hosting international cricket, the event was meant to be a celebration. It turned into tragedy as it came to an end, Pakistan failing miserably in record time. As followers look back upon this calamitous campaign, one thing is certain—the vision of a successful ICC event on home soil will have to wait a bit longer.

It was a clinical finish from India which would be a tricky chase, Thanks to the modern great Virat Kohli who kept one end steady to ensure India finished the match as quickly as possible. It all started 8 years ago when India faced their arch-rival Pakistan in a clutch final of Champions Trophy 2017.
 Pakistan batted first it was not just batting it was a thunderstorm in the form of Fakhar Zaman which just blew away India on the eve of the final where he scored a brilliant 150 Pakistan gave the target of 338 runs which seemed too much for Indian batters where they were all out in 158 which gave Pakistan a commanding win of 180 runs. 
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Slow On Run Rate
After 8 years of endurance, the rivalry ignited which stipulated whether India would seek their revenge or Pakistan would stamp their authority once again. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first it all started well with Pakistan though they lost their main man Babar Azam. Still, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel made a resistant partnership to control the innings. 
They were going well but were slow on rate they were 152/2 at 35 overs but soon everything changed completely, they lost the plot and a hefty collapse happened which changed the course of the game. Rizwan scored 44 runs out of 77 balls hitting only 3 boundaries and Shakeel scored 62 runs after their dismissal whole team bundled into a pack of cards adding on just 89 runs. 
Read More: Its India Vs Pakistan The Greatest Rivalry Of Cricketing Nations
The Tricky Chase
India got the target of 242 runs to win the epic encounter where Rohit Sharma started the innings explosively but couldn't hold onto more. Then came the main man Kohli for the chase who else better than him to join the party. He and Subhman Gill held on to the game they persisted and made control over the chase. But another unexpected thing happened when Subhman Gill got out on 46 runs. 
At the same point where Pakistan was losing the plot same thing was replicated by the Indian batsmen too. Still, Shreyas made a good half-century plotting with Kohli once Shreyas was gone with him Hardik PandayPandyaeparted but till then the chase was in control when Kohli himself took charge and finished the match with his 51 century and scoring 14000 runs in the ODI occupying less number of innings.