Babar Azam’s struggle in his new role as an ODI opener continued as Pakistan succumbed to a bitter defeat against New Zealand in their Champions Trophy opener in Karachi on Wednesday.

Babar, who scored a scratchy 64 off 90 balls, was widely criticised for his sluggish approach. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali also questioned the 30-year-old batter's “patriotism.”

“81 ball pe 50 kara hai Babar ne… total 90 balls mey 64 (Babar Azam has completed his half-century in 81 balls and has managed 64 balls in 90 balls),” Basit Ali said on Ary News’ cricket show “Har Lamha Purjosh.”

“Kya wo sirf 50 ke liye khel rahe they (Was he only playing for his milestone).

“Kya unhe apne mulk ke liye nahi khelna tha (Shouldn’t he played for his country).

“Mulk phle ya Babar Azam phle. Koi puchega unse (Country is first or Babar Azam is first, will someone ask him?).

“5 chauke maare apne 50 mey (you have hit only five boundaries in his knock. Usse badhiya toh Salman Ali Agha kehla hai (Salaman Ali Aghha has showed more intent than Babar Azam).

“Social media mey hume log gaddar bolte hai kyunki hum Babar Azam ko criticise karte hai (On social media fans call me traitor for criticising Babar Azam).”

Mincing no words, Basit Ali also hit out at vice-captain Salman Ali Agha and said, “We were hampered by Fakhar’s absence at the start of the innings. In the last five or six years, no one utilises the powerplay better than him.”

Pakistan, which co-hosted the World Cup with India and Sri Lanka in 1996, is the defending champion after it beat India in the final the last time the Champions Trophy was played — in England in 2017.

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