Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has brushed aside suggestions that the national team is under pressure in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The prestigious tournament marks the return of a multi-nation ICC event to Pakistan after 29 years.
Babar, who was removed from captaincy after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, has been facing scrutiny over his form. His performances with the bat have been inconsistent, raising questions about his role as an opener. Despite this, Babar remains optimistic and acknowledges his responsibility as a senior player.
“There is no pressure of anything. What has happened in the past is beyond us. We have discussed our mistakes and worked on them,” Babar said in an interview with the ICC website.
He further stated that the team relies on him, and he takes this trust as motivation rather than pressure.
Home Advantage in Pakistan
Babar also highlighted the advantage of playing on home soil, emphasizing Pakistan’s familiarity with the conditions. However, he insisted that they would still need to perform well to secure victories.
“When you play at home, you get an edge as you understand the conditions. You know how the pitch will behave in both innings, but at the end of the day, you still need to play good cricket. All competing teams are strong, and winning requires top performances,” he added.
Pakistan’s Schedule in Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan begins their campaign against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday. Following this, they will travel to Dubai for the much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals India on February 23.
With the tournament underway, all eyes will be on Babar Azam as he looks to regain his form and silence his critics on the big stage.
