Pakistan’s ace batsman Babar Azam was absent from the team’s practice session prior to their important Champions Trophy match against India on Sunday. His fitness for the high-pressure game is still in doubt, creating speculation regarding his inclusion in the playing XI.
In the meantime, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi dropped by the practice session, calling on the team to win “at any cost.”
Babar Azam Skips Practice Amid Uncertainty
Only Babar Azam chose to take the day off during Saturday evening’s practice session. His absence was raised an eyebrow, particularly since PCB chief Naqvi was in attendance.
After Pakistan’s 60-run defeat against New Zealand, Azam was severely criticized for his slow 64 off 94 balls, which many believed had cost the team momentum while chasing 320 runs.
But when questioned over Azam’s absence, Pakistan’s interim head coach Aqib Javed was evasive, saying Babar had opted to rest.
PCB Chief’s Strong Message to Team
On Saturday night, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with the Pakistan team at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and conveyed a strong message:
Win against India “at any cost” in order to muffle critics’ voices.
If they lost, Pakistan would be out of the tournament, making Sunday’s encounter a do-or-die.
While the team was set for two hours of practice, they were called off early as Naqvi met with captain Mohammad Rizwan and head coach Aqib Javed.
Intense Discussions With The Players
Sources close to the situation claim that Naqvi told the team to play their hearts out against India, adding that a win would silence their critics—for starters, himself.
He was spotted having long conversations with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, and also mingling with other players, coaches, and support staff.
Naqvi, who was said to be dissatisfied with team selection, ensured that he personally greeted every member of the team.
Confident Words From Naqvi
Talking to the media, Naqvi was full of confidence in Pakistan’s preparedness:
“It would be a good game, and our side is well prepared. As far as I am concerned, they are in shape. We are with them, win or lose.”
When asked why Pakistan was hosting the Champions Trophy but were playing India in Dubai, he had a veiled criticism of the arrangement:
“You can ask the Indians whether the same would have been done to them, how they would have reacted?”
India vs Pakistan: A High-Stakes Clash
With India not willing to travel to Pakistan for security reasons, the Champions Trophy matches featuring India, including a possible final, are being hosted in Dubai.
While the arch-rivals gear up for a high-voltage encounter, all eyes are still on whether Babar Azam will be part of the playing XI and how Pakistan will react to the PCB chief’s challenge.
