Pakistan cricket fans voiced disappointment on social media after their team’s poor batting display against India in the Asia Cup 2025, with many recalling former captain Babar Azam in the squad.
During a high-stakes T20 clash in Dubai, Pakistan’s top order badly collapsed with opener Saim Ayub departing without scoring, while captain Salman Ali Agha and other middle-order batters, including Mohammad Haris, Fakhar Zaman, and Hassan Nawaz, failed to contribute significantly.
The national team limped to 127 for nine in their allotted overs.
بابر رضوان کے بغیر پاکستان کی ماڈرن کرکٹ سامنے ہے اور کھیلو بابر کے بغیر انٹرنیشنل کرکٹ شاباش #PakVsIndia
— Saad Maqsood سعـــــد مقصـــــــــود 🍁 (@SaadMaqsud) September 14, 2025
On the other hand, team India comfortably chased the target, securing a seven-wicket win that exposed Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup in pressure situations.
Just one question?.. kiya babar azam itna bura ta..? pic.twitter.com/GFT2JNmQAL
— Shah Jahan 56 (@ShahJahanba56) September 14, 2025
READ: Despite boycott calls, Indians show strong interest in Pak-India clash
Disappointed supporters took to X (formerly Twitter) after the match, expressing grief over the absence of Babar Azam, who they felt could have steadied the innings and guided younger players during tense moments.
One fan wrote that Pakistan’s batting lacked composure without Babar’s experience, calling for his return to the top order. Another claimed the team had “no clear anchor” against India’s disciplined attack.
Babar Azam even at his worst is better than Sahibzada Farhan, Saim and Haris. He used to score at least 50 of 35 balls, these morons can't even score 30 of 36 even after hitting sixes #PakVsInd
— U M A R (@Agrumpycomedian) September 14, 2025
Some users, however, defended the current setup, suggesting Pakistan needed to back emerging talents like Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha rather than rely solely on senior players such as Babar or Rizwan.
Now Pakistan is missing Babar Azam. The stability and class he brings has no replacement.#INDvsPAK | #BabarAzam𓃵 | #AsiaCup2025
— MEER YASIR🇵🇸 (@meer_yasi_r) September 14, 2025
pic.twitter.com/XhDwLiFtWM
A viral post by a social media user sarcastically stated, “Pakistan’s modern cricket is ahead without Babar and Rizwan – international cricket is well done without Khelo Babar,” sparking debate over the team’s future strategy.