Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar didn’t hold back in his criticism of Babar Azam, calling him a “fraud” following the national team’s defeat to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash on Sunday.
Babar and Virat are frequently compared within the cricket community due to their similar batting techniques, however, Akhtar slammed the comparisons between the two players.
Speaking on a TV show, Akhtar questioned Babar’s choice of role models, contrasting it with Kohli’s admiration for the great Sachin Tendulkar.
“We often hear comparisons between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. But let me ask you, who is Virat Kohli’s hero? It’s Sachin Tendulkar, a man with 100 international centuries, and Kohli is chasing that legacy,” Akhtar stated.
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Shoaib Akhtar then took a dig at Babar Azam, implying that the star batter’s mindset and influences were flawed, labeling him as a fraud.
“Who is Babar Azam’s role model? Let’s not name any cricketer but you’ve chosen the wrong role models. Your thought process is wrong. You were a fraud from the beginning,” he added.
Babar, under immense scrutiny already, had a forgettable outing in the high-stakes encounter against India. He managed only 23 runs off 26 balls, despite striking five boundaries, before falling cheaply.
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Pakistan set a below-par target of 241, which India chased down comfortably in 42.3 overs, winning by six wickets.
Meanwhile, Shoaib Akhtar also showered praise on Kohli, who once again rose to the occasion against Pakistan with a match-winning century.
“When Virat Kohli plays against Pakistan, you just know he’s going to get a hundred. He’s a modern-day legend, a white-ball run machine! There’s no debate about his greatness. I’m genuinely happy for him—he deserves all the accolades he gets,” he concluded.
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