Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam has had a rough outing in the ongoing tri-nation series against New Zealand and South Africa. Expected to lead Pakistan's batting charge, the former captain has struggled for runs, failing to make an impact in both crucial matches.

His poor form has put additional pressure on the rest of the batting unit, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming tournaments. In the opening match against New Zealand, Babar was dismissed for just 10 off 23 balls while chasing a challenging target of 331.

His early departure left Pakistan in trouble, and they eventually lost the match. The pressure was even greater in the virtual knockout against South Africa, where Pakistan needed 353 to secure a place in the final. However, Babar Azam once again failed to deliver, getting out for 23 at a critical juncture.

Following another underwhelming performance, Babar addressed the media and made an unusual request to his fans-asking them to stop calling him "King". The title has often been associated with him due to his past performances, but the 29-year-old batter believes he is yet to earn that recognition.

"Please stop calling me King. I am not King, I am not there yet. There are new roles for me now," Babar said, reflecting on his struggles. He further acknowledged the need to focus on the present rather than dwell on past achievements. "Whatever I have done before is in the past. Every match is a fresh challenge, and I must focus on the present and future," he added.

Babar Azam was once considered among the world's top batters, particularly before 2023, when he consistently delivered match-winning performances. However, the past two years have seen a decline in his form. He has not scored an international century since August 2023, and his inability to anchor Pakistan's innings in high-pressure situations has led to criticism from fans and experts alike.

Despite Babar's struggles, Pakistan managed to pull off a stunning victory against South Africa, thanks to a historic partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha. The duo scripted a remarkable chase, rescuing the team after an early collapse. Rizwan's unbeaten 122 off 128 balls and Salman's explosive 134 off 103 deliveries guided Pakistan to a record-breaking win, securing their place in the final.