"Babar Azam will have to score three hundreds in Champions Trophy to survive": Shoaib Akhtar predicts star batter's future

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has made a big statement on Babar Azam’s future in one-day internationals and T20 cricket. He said that Babar will have to score three hundreds in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to save his career.

Babar was dropped from the Test team after just one game against England. Pakistan won the remaining two games to clinch their first red-ball series trophy in years at home. In the fifty-over games and T20I series in Australia, he was again found wanting.

He has consistently registered low scores across formats in international cricket, and former players and fans want him to return to domestic cricket before playing for Pakistan.

Although Shoaib is backing Babar, he feels the player’s time is running out in the two shorter formats.

“He is our star player and has my backing but with the new management and the new thinking, he will have to show performances. Otherwise, he will not be considered for ODIs and T20Is,” he said.

New management won't consider Babar in t20s and even in odis after CT. 🧐

VC: Ptv Sports pic.twitter.com/N5MAjMT86T — صالح (@wasiisaleh97) December 2, 2024

Shoaib mentioned that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be crucial for the right-handed batter.

“Babar needs to be at his best in the Champions Trophy. He wil have to score three match-winning hundreds otherwise the path is going to be difficult for him.”

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