Champions Trophy: Babar Azam is being rightly criticised, says Rashid Latif

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan batter Rashid Latif criticized former captain Babar Azam for his tactics during the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand in Karachi, where the hosts lost by 60 runs on the ICC tournament's first visit to the nation since 1996.
Even though Salman Agha and Kushdil Shah hit fast-paced 42 and 69, respectively, Babar contributed 64 in 90 balls while chasing 321, the team was unable to win the tournament opener.
Concerns about Babar's low strike rate in the high-scoring chase were voiced by Pakistani supporters and veteran cricket players following the game. Latif said that the criticism was justified and that Babar ought to have taken chances while he was at the crease.
"I think Babar Azam is being rightly criticised. If the ball is not coming onto the bat then you should have a Plan B. If you keep racking up the dot balls then you add pressure onto the team. Babar should have taken more risks, I believe the opening ten overs were there to take risks, as they struggle to play freely against spin. People think Pakistan have been unpredictable but Babar's batting has become predictable," Latif told IANS.
The former wicketkeeper-batter went on to say that Babar is no longer Pakistan's best chance, citing Virat Kohli as an example who gained international acclaim for his clutch scoring for India.
"Bowlers always know what shot he will play against which ball. Babar used to be Pakistan's hope at one time but not anymore as there are other players who can do (better). If on a day when Virat Kohli does not perform then Shubman Gill will perform, if he does not then Rohit is there, you've got Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul as well but Virat is a big game player, he played a crucial innings in the T20 World Cup final (2024) as well," he added.
Latif stated that the Mohammad Rizwan-led team appears weaker against Rohit Sharma & Co. ahead of Sunday's crucial match between India and Pakistan in Dubai.
"If we look at both teams then Pakistan's side looks weak. Even though India's record has been stronger against Pakistan but there used to be competition, the game used to go till the final overs. People think India's tournaments have usually been due to their batting but Pakistan's success has always been due to their bowling," he said.
"This match is very important for Pakistan. I am not worried for just the Champions Trophy but for Pakistan cricket as well because a lot of things were said and written in the build-up to the tournament (regarding India's participation) but all of that was off the field now the cricket has started and Pakistan lost their opening game whereas India won theirs. In a tournament like CT, where every team is a top side, the margins of errors are less there. Pakistan had lost their opening game in 2017 as well."
Despite pace-spearhead Jasprit Bumrah's absence, the seasoned hitter termed India's bowling arsenal better than Pakistan.
"I believe India's bowling is currently better, I know Jasprit Bumrah is not here, but their spinners are dominating, and in conditions like Dubai, Pakistan will struggle to face their spin attack," Latif said.