Smith Backs Babar

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Australia captain Steve Smith has come out in support of Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam, who has been facing criticism for his slow strike rate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Babar scored a half-century in Pakistan's opening match against New Zealand, but his 64 runs off 90 balls were not enough to guide his team to victory. Despite this, Smith believes that Babar will soon regain his form, citing his solid technique and good career record so far.

Smith's comments came during a pre-match press conference ahead of Australia's match against England, where he was asked to offer advice to Babar. Smith said that Babar is a quality player who has had a really good career, and that he has all the time in the world when he bats. He also praised Babar's technique, saying that it is solid, and that he has a good head on his shoulders. Smith admitted that Babar hasn't scored as many runs recently, but expressed confidence that he will get back to form soon.

Australia is preparing to face England in their upcoming match, despite the absence of key pacers like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc. Smith said that the team is well-prepared for the encounter, and that they know what to do. He also emphasized that England is a strong team, especially in white-ball cricket, but expressed confidence in his team's abilities. The match between Australia and England is expected to be a closely contested one, with both teams looking to make a strong start in the tournament.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already seen some exciting matches, with Pakistan's opening match against New Zealand being a thrilling encounter. Babar's slow strike rate was a topic of discussion, with some critics saying that he needs to improve his batting style to suit the demands of modern-day ODI cricket. However, Smith's comments suggest that Babar still has a lot to offer, and that he will soon regain his form. The tournament is expected to be a competitive one, with several teams looking to make a strong impression.

Here are the match scores of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 so far:

• Pakistan vs New Zealand: New Zealand won by 30 runs
• Other match scores will be updated as the tournament progresses

The tournament schedule is as follows:

1. Australia vs England: February 22
2. Other matches will be played on subsequent days

The team rankings are currently:

• New Zealand: 1st
• Other teams will be ranked as the tournament progresses

Player statistics will also be updated as the tournament progresses.

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