Babar Azam Dismissed for Duck in Practice as Kamran Ghulam Impresses Against Haris Rauf
Babar Azam Stumbles, Kamran Ghulam Grabs Spotlight in Pakistan's Champions Trophy Prep
Pressure situations do strange things, even to superstars. During a crucial intra-squad practice match ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batting maestro, found himself heading back to the pavilion without scoring—a duck. Shaheen Shah Afridi, with a classic left-arm pacer’s inswinging delivery, managed to trap Babar leg-before, sending a small ripple through the camp. You don’t often see Babar falling for naught, and even if it’s just practice, it gets folks talking.
On the other side of the pitch, it was Kamran Ghulam’s day to shine. While big names like Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah steamed in, Ghulam stood firm. He wasn’t just surviving—he was countering aggression, threading gaps, and showing the patience and technique fans crave in the middle order. Ghulam’s calm against express pace is exactly the sort of stuff that selectors notice, especially with squad places still up for grabs before a major ICC tournament.
Selection Juggling and Key Absences
Pakistan’s camp isn’t just about individual performances; there’s a lot of experimentation going on. Mohammad Rizwan, steering the squad as captain, is closely watching different combinations. For instance, trying out Fakhar Zaman as Babar’s opening partner is a move that might change Pakistan’s attacking approach up top. With Saim Ayub sidelined by an ankle injury and Abdullah Shafique missing out due to patchy form, Kamran Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha are suddenly center stage. Both are seizing their chances with the bat, while the coaching staff keeps an eye on who copes best under real pressure.
The absence of the usual faces means team management has to look deeper into the talent pool. Saim Ayub’s aggressive left-handed flair and Shafique’s solidity were key in past outings, but injuries and selection headaches are part of every major tournament build-up. So, Ghulam’s emergence and Salman Ali Agha’s steadying influence are well-timed ahead of final squad selection.
Fast bowling, Pakistan’s traditional strength, is roaring back too. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, both known for pure pace, are cranking up the speed-gun in these matches. Their battle with both senior and new batsmen is giving the coaching staff plenty of data to chew on as they tighten plans for the Champions Trophy.
Next in line is the tri-series involving New Zealand and South Africa from February 8 to 14. This short burst of high-quality opposition will double as a final test. The shake-up isn’t just about filling gaps—Pakistan wants to enter the Champions Trophy with a balanced squad, where every position is earned, not handed out by default.
The latest practice match was supposed to be routine, but when the biggest name in the team falls for zero, and a rising contender proves he can handle the heat, selection headaches just get a little trickier. With competition for places fierce and reputations on the line, the coming weeks promise more drama—both in the nets and out in the middle.