Calling Pakistan’s Champions Trophy performance “disappointing”, former pacer Shoaib Akhtar said the team is playing a “different kind of cricket, not the ones other teams are playing”.

Wasim Akram has made a scathing attack on Pakistan batter Babar Azam, who scored a scratchy 64 off 90 balls against New Zealand in the opening game of the Champions Trophy at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday. Centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young propelled New Zealand to 60-run victory over defending champions Pakistan.

Earlier, after opting to bowl first, Pakistan’s attack lacked penetration against a well-organized New Zealand lineup. Naseem Shah removed Kane Williamson cheaply, and Haris Rauf dismissed Daryl Mitchell, but the visitors recovered through Will Young (107 off 113) and Tom Latham (118* off 104), who stitched together a vital 118-run partnership.

Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam was among the runs in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, but not in a manner that aided the team's cause.

Legendary Wasim Akram found a unique way to describe Babar Azam's useless fifty in Pakistan's losing cause against New Zealand in Champions Trophy 2025's opener

Cheteshwar Pujara hammered Babar Azam for a poor approach in Pakistan's opening loss to New Zealand in the Champions Trophy.