Gautam Gambhir: “Babar Azam has nothing to prove in front of anyone”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has come to the defence of Pakistan batsman Babar Azam, saying he has nothing to prove to anyone.
Gambhir’s comments come at a time when Azam is being bombarded with criticism due to his poor performances with the bat.
There are very high expectations the 30-year-old has to live up to and whenever he fails to meet them, he is quickly condemned.
However, Gambhir noted that Azam has accomplished so much for Pakistan and doesn’t need to show anyone how good he is as he has done so on so many occasions in the past.
“Babar Azam has nothing to prove in front of anyone,” he was quoted as saying by journalist Arfa Feroz Zake on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Azam was recently involved in Pakistan’s ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, and amassed 62 runs at an average of 20.66.
He then took part in the 2025 Champions Trophy and finished with 87 runs in two games, which included a top score of 64, at an average of 43.50.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India in the Champions Trophy, which saw their campaign come to an end in the group stage.
Their last match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a limited overs tour of New Zealand, which will consist of five T20Is and three ODIs that will be held from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
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