Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has expressed doubts over Pakistan’s ability to perform well in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19. Harbhajan aimed Pakistan’s batting line-up and specifically questioned the credentials of star player Babar Azam, who is often regarded as the backbone of the Pakistani team.
Pakistan’s Inconsistency and India’s Strength
In a detailed analysis shared on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan compared the current forms of Pakistan and India, highlighting the stark differences between the two teams. “Pakistan are a very inconsistent team,” Harbhajan remarked, adding that statistics reveal a significant gap between Pakistan’s and India’s performances. He stressed that while stats are based on past performances, they provide a clear indication of the current state of both teams.
“India is a well-settled team, while Pakistan seems a bit unsteady,” he pointed out, noting that India’s team appears to be in much better shape heading into the tournament.
Harbhajan Questions Babar Azam’s Status as a Top Batter
Harbhajan specifically criticized Babar Azam’s performances, questioning whether he truly deserves to be considered one of the world’s top batters. Despite his standing as one of Pakistan’s star players, Harbhajan highlighted that Babar’s batting average of 31 falls short of the expectations placed on top-tier players. “A top batter should have an average close to 50, which Babar doesn’t,” he remarked, adding that Babar’s record against India has also been disappointing.
Harbhajan didn’t stop at Babar’s form; he also pointed out the struggles of Mohammad Rizwan, whose batting average against India is just 25. He emphasized that outside of Babar and Rizwan, Pakistan’s batting lineup lacks depth and stability, with players like Faheem Ashraf (average 12.5) and Saud Shakeel (average 6 against India) unlikely to pose a serious challenge to opposing teams.
Fakhar Zaman: A Bright Spot in Pakistan’s Batting Line-Up
Despite his criticism, Harbhajan expressed optimism about Fakhar Zaman’s potential in the tournament. Zaman, with an average of 46 against India, is one of the few Pakistani batters who could make an impact. “Fakhar can take the game away from the opposition,” said Harbhajan, though he noted that Babar’s move to open the batting could undermine his potential.
India’s Strong Form and Pakistan’s Struggles
Harbhajan was far more confident about India’s chances in the tournament. He pointed to the recent form of key Indian players such as Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, and Virat Kohli, noting that India’s team is well-balanced and has depth in both batting and bowling. “India is very strong right now, and they have the form on their side,” Harbhajan added, acknowledging Kohli’s recent half-century despite his overall dip in form.
The Indian bowling unit, which has performed well in the recent white-ball series, was also highlighted as a strength, with Harbhajan noting India’s victories over England at home.
Harbhajan’s Predictions for the Champions Trophy
Looking ahead to the tournament, Harbhajan predicted a tough road for Pakistan. He was particularly critical of Pakistan’s opening match against New Zealand, suggesting that Pakistan would once again fall short against the Black Caps. “New Zealand will defeat Pakistan again in the Champions Trophy opener,” Harbhajan stated, citing New Zealand’s recent success against Pakistan.
As for the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash, Harbhajan was confident that India would emerge victorious. “In the match between India and Pakistan, India looks like a team that can win this Champions Trophy,” he boldly declared.
Harbhajan also mentioned Afghanistan as a potential surprise package for the tournament, acknowledging their strong team dynamics and ability to perform well in the tournament’s conditions.
