Champions Trophy: “Stop Calling Me King”: Babar Azam’s Humble Plea To Media

Pakistan’s Star Batter Downplays “King” Title, Focuses On Fresh Challenges

February 14, 2025: Babar Azam Requests Media To Drop “King” Title, Focus On Present Challenges

Islamabad: Pakistan’s cricket sensation Babar Azam has made an earnest appeal to the media—stop calling him “King.” The prolific batter, known for his elegant stroke play and match-winning performances, expressed his desire to focus on present and future challenges rather than past achievements.

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“Please stop calling me King. I am not King, I am not there yet. There are new roles for me now. Whatever I have done before is in the past. Every match is a fresh challenge, and I must focus on the present and future,” Babar said during a media interaction.

Also Read: IPL 2025 To Begin On March 22 With KKR vs RCB, Grand Finale On May 25 In Kolkata

Babar’s statement comes amid a dip in form compared to the lofty standards he has set, fueling discussions about his performance ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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Pakistan Eyes Title Defense In Champions Trophy

Pakistan, the defending champions of the ICC Champions Trophy, last won the tournament in 2017 with a resounding 180-run victory over India in the final at The Oval.

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Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who led the team to that historic win, believes Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman will be crucial in the title defense.

“Pakistan has a really good chance of defending the title. Some of the boys from 2017 are still there, especially Babar Azam. He is a different, more mature player now and will be instrumental for Pakistan along with Fakhar Zaman,” said Sarfaraz.

Also Read: Former Pakistan Captain Sarfaraz Recalls 2017 Champions Trophy Win

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India vs Pakistan Showdown Set For February 23

Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly waiting for the India vs Pakistan blockbuster clash on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Sarfaraz emphasized the importance of staying composed in high-pressure matches.

“Whenever we meet India, the hype and pressure are immense. But as players, you need to stay calm, block the noise, and perform with the same intensity as you would against Australia or any other team,” he advised.

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Pakistan’s Squad And Fixtures For Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan Squad:

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Fixtures:

• Pakistan vs New Zealand – February 19 (Karachi)
• Pakistan vs India – February 23 (Dubai)
• Pakistan vs Bangladesh – February 27 (Rawalpindi)

With the tournament just days away, all eyes will be on Babar Azam as he looks to silence critics and reclaim his dominance on the field—whether as “King” or not! 🏏🔥

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