In the wake of Pakistan’s shambolic performance in the Champions Trophy 2025, Babar Azam was dropped from the squad for the five match T20I series against New Zealand. The former Pakistan skipper is going through a rough patch and has been under stiff scrutiny regarding his performances.
Despite all the criticism, Babar Azam’s father Azam Siddique has backed his son to score runs in domestic cricket and make a strong comeback to the national side.
Taking to Instagram he posted a message which said,” Boss is Always Right. Member of ICC’s Twenty20 of the year team and even after getting the cap, he will drop. It is okay. He will perform in National T20 and in PSL. Insha Allah, he will come back soon after performing in the team. That’s the only respectable. They are very big former players. They are requested to keep their words right. If someone answers back, they may not be able to tolerate. You are the past and the door will never open.”
He further wrote,”Some others say that if the father speaks more, then in the Holy Prophet. He is his first and last coach, spokesperson, mentor, and the most well-wisher and father in the world, so those who do not have or are not capable of it, please be patient and it is a request to the cricket lovers who have been shouting day and night for them. Before listening to what they did in their time, look at PCB website once. A hint is enough for the rest of the wise. Pakistan Zindabad.”
The message was posted days after Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar labelled Babar a “fraud’. Veteran all-rounder Mohammed Hafeez bluntly told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to drop the star batter after another disappointing show. Akhtar while speaking on the show ‘Game On Hai.’ said,“Who is Babar Azam’s hero? Tuk tuk
Hafeez on the other hand labelled Babar as a “good” player but admitted that the 31-year-old has failed to help Pakistan win any series in a SENA country single-handedly. Speaking on the same show he said, “Tell me Babar Azam, the best Pakistani product that has come in the past 10 years. Tell me his one good performance against India. Babar Azam is not Inzamam-ul-Haq.Inzi bhai used to win matches for Pakistan in difficult conditions. Babar Azam has not won a single match against India to date. He is playing for the past 10 years and has never become a player of the series in SENA countries. In Australia or England, he has never led Pakistan to victory.”
Babar Azam enjoys pedal tennis after CT 2025 exit
After being dropped from Pakistan side, Babar Azam was spotted enjoying padel tennis with his brothers, fellow cricketers, and friends after Champions Trophy debacle. During the tournament, the right hander managed meagre scores of 10, 23, 29, 64 and 23 in five innings.
Following the poor tournament, Babar turned to padel tennis as a recreational activity. He was seen playing the sport with fellow cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Usman Qadir.
