Published : 23 Feb 2025, 11:33 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 12:38 PM
Pakistan have left it unclear whether Babar Azam will be available for their clash against arch-rivals India in the Champions Trophy Group A tie after the talismanic batsman skipped training before the game.
"Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi urged the side to beat India “at any cost” to silence critics, news agency Press Trust of India reported on Sunday.
Hosts and defending champions Pakistan must win the game to stay alive in the competition.
Speculation is rife that Azam may not be considered for the match after he was not seen at the practice session on Saturday evening, PTI reported.
The practice was attended by Naqvi and Azam was the only player who chose to take the day off.
Azam was under fire for his sluggish 94-ball 64 in the defeat to New Zealand in the opener, which Pakistan lost by 60 runs.
Addressing the media after practice, interim head coach Aqib Javed failed to provide a reason for Azam's absence, mentioning that the former captain had “chosen to rest”.
PTI reports that Naqvi urged the captain, coach and players to give their “best shot” against India and win the match to "silence their critics, including himself".
He was seen having a long chat with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, it added.
Later, Naqvi told the media that the Pakistani team was “ready to face India” and do well against them, according to the report.
Asked about the hosts having to play India in Dubai, he said: "You should ask this to the Indians. If the same would have happened to them, then how would they have felt?"
India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns, and are playing their games in Dubai. The final of the tournament will be held in Dubai should they make it.
