India is off to a solid start in their chase of 242 in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Pakistan. Hardik Pandya's performance, taking 2/31 in eight overs, included the important scalp of Babar Azam. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer's patient knock of 21st ODI fifty helped India reach 200 runs, with Kohli also contributing with a boundary. Despite a few missed opportunities for Pakistan, both teams continue to keep the singles rolling in.
Fans were quick to slam Pakistan's top-order, specifically opener Babar Azam, for their slow-paced batting performance in the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand. Despite going past fifty, Babar's inability to accelerate the run rate earned him backlash from both fans and former cricketers, with one popular meme account mocking his display. Former Indian cricketer, Aakash Chopra, also criticized Pakistan's batting approach and predicted Babar's dismissal after scoring a half-century. The eventual 101-run loss highlighted the importance of stepping up in crucial moments for Pakistan's top-order.
Just days before India's Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh, India vice-captain Shubman Gill has dethroned Babar Azam from the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings. This is not the first time Gill has achieved this feat, as he previously surpassed Babar to claim the top spot in the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana has also climbed to the top spot in the ODI bowling rankings, replacing Afghanistan's Rashid Khan. Gill's recent stellar performances, including a century against England, have earned him 796 rating points, while Babar has slipped to second with 773 points.
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam continues his struggles at the top as he departs cheaply in the ODI tri-series against New Zealand. Azam's dismissal for just 10 runs adds to his recent string of low scores, raising concerns about his form. As Pakistan chases a target of 331, Azam's performance remains critical for the team's success in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Pakistan has chosen its 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy and it includes three players who have shined in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League. Opener Usman Khan, all-rounders Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf have impressed for their teams and have helped them reach the knockout stage of the tournament. They will be led by Mohammad Rizwan, who has been captain since Babar Azam stepped down in 2023, and are hoping to defend their title as the hosts for the 2025 edition.
After leading India to a second T20 World Cup title, Rohit Sharma was elected as the captain of the ICC T20I Team of the Year 2024. Along with three other Indians, Sharma dominated the XI with his stellar performance during the tournament. Other standout players such as Nicholas Pooran, Babar Azam, and Rashid Khan were also chosen for their impressive performances in the T20 format. Bumrah and Arshdeep stood out as the top bowlers of the T20 World Cup, solidifying their places in the ICC XI for 2024.
India's leading T20I wicket-taker, Arshdeep Singh, has been announced as the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024. The left-arm pace bowler was instrumental in India's victory at the T20 World Cup 2024 and has established himself as one of the top performers in the format. He beat out tough competition from players such as Sikandar Raza, Travis Head, and Babar Azam to earn the prestigious award. Keep up with all the latest news and updates on India's top cricketers by following KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Babar Azam's struggle with the bat continues as he falls for just one run in the ongoing second test between Pakistan and West Indies. The right-hander's dismissal comes after two low scores in the series opener. His recent form in South Africa has raised expectations, but he has failed to deliver against the West Indies so far. Kemar Roach has been the main threat for Pakistan, taking two wickets in the first innings.
The rivalry between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam continues to fuel debates among cricket fans. However, when we compare their stats after 123 ODI matches, Kohli edges out Babar with 5,154 runs and 17 centuries. Not far behind, Babar has scored 5,957 runs and 19 centuries. Kohli has been dismissed for a duck on 8 occasions, while Babar has been out for a golden duck only 4 times. Their performance against some of the top teams such as Australia, England, and West Indies is also compared in this statistical analysis.
summary: South Africa allrounder Wiaan Mulder caused a heated exchange with former Pakistan captain Babar Azam during the second Test match. Mulder was seen aggressively throwing the ball at Babar, leading to a verbal altercation between the two players. The incident occurred during Pakistan's second innings, which saw their opening pair Shan Masood and Babar put up a strong resistance against the South African bowlers.