Ahmed Shehzad: “In ODIs, where Babar used to own the format, he is struggling”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Senior Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has called out batsman Babar Azam, saying he is no longer dominant in ODIs.
Azam averages 55.17 in the 50-over format, but his form has been extremely turbulent over the past few months as he has not been able to post big scores on a regular basis.
During Pakistan’s ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, he amassed 62 runs in three matches at an average of 20.66.
The 30-year-old then proceeded to play in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where he accumulated 87 runs in two games, which included a top score of 64, at an average of 43.50.
“In ODIs, where Babar used to own the format, he is struggling,” Shehzad was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India in the Champions Trophy, which led to them crashing out in the group stage.
Their final game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Following this, Pakistan toured New Zealand for a limited overs series, but Azam was not involved in the five T20Is, which the men in green lost 4-1.
However, he was picked for the three-match ODI series and finished with 129 runs, which included two fifties, at an average of 43.
The Pakistan players will now take part in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL), which will be played from April 11 to May 18.
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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