PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam Trolled as Pakistan Register Unwanted Record in Champions Trophy 2025 Opener

Babar Azam was trolled on social media for his slow-paced fifty as Pakistan registered an unwanted record during their 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday (February 19).

Babar, who opened the batting alongside Saud Shakeel, scored 64 off 90 balls and reached his fifty in 81 balls, registering his fifth slowest half-century in One Day Internationals. As a result of his cautious approach, Pakistan also posted one of their lowest powerplay totals in ODI.

In the run-chase of 321, the hosts only managed to add 22 runs for the loss of two wickets in the first 10 overs, which became their lowest total in ODI powerplay at home, breaking their previous lowest of 31/2 which also came against New Zealand at the same venue in Karachi in 2023.

Earlier, Pakistan had recorded 16 runs in the PowerPlay against South Africa in 2013 in Sharjah, UAE, their adopted home venue in that match. But on home soil, the record was broken on Wednesday (February 19).

Pakistan's lowest-ever powerplay score in ODI also came against New Zealand in Dunedin in 2018, when they scored just nine runs for the loss of 3 wickets in the first 10 overs, where only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Here is a look at the top 5 lowest scores in powerplay in ODIs at Pakistan:

Lowest ODI PowerPlay totals by Pakistan at home

22 runs vs New Zealand, Karachi in 2025
31 runs vs New Zealand, Karachi in 2023
37 runs vs New Zealand, Karachi in 2023
37 runs vs Bangladesh, Lahore in 2023
40 runs vs New Zealand, Karachi in 2023

Coming back to the match, New Zealand rode on centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham to set a massive target of 320. In response, Pakistan could only manage to reach 260 despite late quickfire cameos from Salman Ali Agha (42 off 28 balls) and Kushdil Shah (69 off 48 balls).

Babar scored a fifty and batted till the 34th over, but was striking at a low rate when the situation demanded a swift-paced innings. Following his slow-paced innings, which included several dot balls, the former Pakistan captain was trolled on social media.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took a subtle dig at Pakistan's premier batter, Babar Azam, for his slow-paced fifty when compared to the innings played by the vice captain Salman Ali Agha.

"Babar's journey to 50 coupled with Salman Ali Agha's batting has to be the best depiction of "The Tortoise and Rabbit story" . #ChampionsTrophy," he wrote on X.

Meanwhile one user on X, formerly known as Twitter, poked further fun at Babar, saying the star batter may have been the mastermind behind the design for the team's Champions Trophy jersey.

Former India cricketer-turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar questioned Babar's intent saying, "Babar Azam clearly showed poor intent in the first game. But in the next couple of matches we will know if intent is an issue with Pakistan or inherent ability. If it's ability then that can't be easily resolved.
#ChampionsTrophy"