WATCH: Babar Azam tries his hand at padel tennis amidst huge criticism post Pakistan’s early Champions Trophy exit

Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is back home and taking a breather from the game after his side’s early exit from the Champions Trophy 2025. The 30-year-old scored just 87 runs from two matches as Pakistan finished last in Group A with just one point from three games. Babar Azam was spotted recently enjoying a round of padel tennis with his family and friends. 

Pakistani opener Imam-ul-Haq was also spotted playing with Babar Azam, with the videos going viral. The Men in Green are set to tour New Zealand next for a series of five T20I and three ODI matches. There is a good chance that the selectors could bring in new players into the team. 

Watch the video here:

Babar Azam trying his luck in tennis 🎾 #BabarAzampic.twitter.com/X9BqY7rLta

— MD (@toptier1140) March 3, 2025

It is unlikely that Babar and other senior members of the side will be picked for the tour. Many former Pakistani cricket players slammed Babar Azam for his slow batting in the first match of the Champions Trophy versus New Zealand. The right-handed batter scored 64 runs off 90 balls while chasing 321 runs to win. 

Also Read:Former Pakistan pacer launches brutal attack on Babar Azam after defeat against India

Top names likely to be rested or dropped for New Zealand tour 

According to reports carried by 24 News channel, apart from Babar Azam, other big names could be rested for the coming New Zealand tour. The names include Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan, who is the white ball skipper of the side. Fakhar Zaman, who is injured, is not expected to be picked, while Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, and Tayyab Tahir could be dropped. 

Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is expected to take over as the new coach of the side. Saqlain will replace his former teammate Aaqib Javed as the coach, and massive changes are expected to be made in the side. Former cricketer Moin Khan has called for a complete makeover of the Pakistani national side. 

Moin Khan, during an event in Karachi, said, “The team that works hard is the one that wins”. The former Pakistan skipper also said that there was no action taken after the early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. “At that time, surgery didn’t happen either. We need to make tough decisions now”.