Champions Trophy: Tortoise & Rabbit! Ashwin takes a dig at Babar Azam’s slow 50

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took a subtle jab at Pakistan's top batter, Babar Azam, for his slow fifty against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy opener on Wednesday in Karachi.

Pakistan were chasing a stiff 321-run target but found themselves in deep trouble at 69/3 after losing Saud Shakeel, captain Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman.

The team needed a big knock from Babar, but instead, the 31-year-old played a slow innings, which pushed the defending champions further away from the required total.


While Babar took his time at the crease, vice-captain Salman Ali Agha played aggressively, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive for a while before they faded.

Ashwin commented on Babar's batting during his 58-run stand with Salman, comparing it to the famous "Tortoise and Rabbit" fable.

"Babar's journey to 50 coupled with Salman Ali Agha's batting has to be the best depiction of 'The Tortoise and Rabbit story'. #ChampionsTrophy," Ashwin wrote on X.

As wickets kept falling, the required run rate kept climbing. Khushdil Shah tried to fight back with a quick 69 off 49 balls, but his efforts were not enough.

Pakistan eventually fell short, losing by 60 runs as New Zealand celebrated yet another victory over them in the tournament.

This was New Zealand's fourth consecutive Champions Trophy win over Pakistan, keeping their unbeaten record against them in the event intact.

With this heavy defeat, Pakistan’s position in the tournament looks shaky. Their next game against India on Sunday in Dubai could turn into a virtual knockout.